Roberta Staley and Tallulah of Tallulah Photography have been working tirelessly together to illuminate the oft-untold stories of the Global South. Their collaborative project, Journeys to the Edge (or J2E), is not just highly engaging, narrative-based journalism; as a fundraising organization, it also seeks to support emerging journalists working internationally, encouraging independent and objective reporting from the field.

On Thursday, June 27th, Staley and Tallulah will be hosting Afghanistan Rising at Chapel Arts, a fundraiser that will showcase the work produced by J2E as well as that of Dr. Lauryn Oates, the projects director of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. Guests will be introduced to a roster of fascinating individuals, including “world champion Qu’ran singer Ahmad Reshad Mamozai,  a female politician who is fighting for gender equality and rule of law, members of Afghanistan women’s boxing team, and an Afghan-Canadian cardiologist who treats everyone for free – even ex-Taliban.” Additionally, a portion of the money raised will go to Young Women for Change, a youth organization in Kabul working to transform deeply entrenched misogynistic attitudes.

Intrigued by Tallulah’s and Staley’s keenly observant style of reporting, I spoke with Staley about her motivations, experiences in the field, and views about the state of journalism today.

VIA: What was the motivation behind you embarking on this project? 

Roberta Staley: Last year, J2E co-founder Tallulah Photography and I received contracts with ELLE Canada and Trek magazines to cover the work of the NGO Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan). Run entirely by volunteers, CW4WAfghan has contributed significantly to the development of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women, who were brutalized under the Taliban regime, which ruled from 1996 to 2001.

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We are HUB. We make cycling better through education, action and events.  More cycling means healthier, happier, more connected communities. We’re leading the way in making cycling an attractive choice for everyone. Each month V.I.A. provides a platform for us to bring you something awesome involving cycling in the city!

By Burton Wong

“Gasp!” That’s usually the response I get when people catch my two-tone cycling tan lines peeking out of my t-shirt sleeves.  I’m just like your typical Vancouverite – as soon as the sun kicks into high gear, I’m outside soaking up vitamin D like it’s going out of style. I’ve got a head start on my office-bound buddies because every chance I get, I’m out soaking up the rays as I pedal around town on my bike. By the peak of summer, my tan lines would make a farmer jealous.

Photo Credit: Cycle City Tours

If you’re looking to even out your tan, look no further than the Naked Bike Ride, an annual tradition for those who dare to bare it all (I’ll stick with my cyclist-tan, thanks).  That’s just one of the many bike-friendly events lined up as we head into the summer months:

• Join HUB tomorrow at MEC BikeFest Vancouver, where you can check out new gear, participate in awesome clinics and workshops or even get in on a friendly race.

• This Sunday, June 16th,  not just ONE but FOUR communities will be rocking out with great food, local vendors and live entertainment in celebration of Car Free Day Vancouver. HUB will be at Commercial drive this year, giving away free stuff and organizing rides between festival locations. To make it even more bike-friendly than it already is, The Bicycle Valet can watch over your two-wheeled steed while you soak up the rays at at the Main Street and Commercial Drive locations.

• If you’re a fan of the Museum of Vancouver, HUB members get a 2-for-1 admission during the month of June. Check out the scintillating Sex Talk in the City exhibit or the photography of Foncie Pulice who captured iconic images of Vancouver’s streets back in the 1930s. The museum is also near the bike route that runs around Vanier Park through to Kitsilano, which makes it even easier to access by bike.

• For the racing fans, BC Superweek is just around the corner. With five races taking place between July 5 and 14, there’s a good chance that you can catch some of the action this season. Just remember to slather on sunscreen when you’re waiting for the pros to whip through the hay bale corners. Believe me, it’s easy to forget how mean the sun is when you’re distracted by the cowbell clanging and the “whooosh!” of road bikes flying by.

• Fancy some fashion? Want bike clothing options that don’t scream peloton or Tour-de-Something? Vancouver Cycle Chic is celebrating bicycling – without the Gore-Tex and Lycra – on July 5 at Sugar Studios. The event will feature a fashion show, music, food carts, an interactive art installation and even giveaways.

• Got guests in town? Want to explore more of your own backyard? Then sign up for a bike tour!  Learn the fascinating history of Stanley Park with Vancouver Heritage -OR- explore Vancouver’s hidden foodie, art & urban history gems via bike with Cycle City Tours.  HUB members get up to 15% – 20% off bike tours and even more discounts if you bring your own bike. For more info on HUB member benefits and discounts, visit bikehub.ca/membership.

Whew. That’s all I can cover this time but Vancouver still has a lot more going on as the hot weather kicks into gear. So buckle up that lid, be generous with the SPF50 and remember to use your hand signals. The fun begins now and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a tan line to remember all through the winter.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Current photo of Maple Grove park stumps, courtesy of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

This Father’s Day Weekend , VHF‘s Places That Matter plaque project is celebrating two iconic sites with hidden history and great  stories! You’ll want to add these to your list of things to do with dad this weekend.

If you’ve never explored Kerrisdale’s Maple Grove Park (Yew St & 51st), join us to see and hear the history of the giant western red cedar stumps, the pool and park,  the ecology and First Nations. The park is 100 years old this year, the stumps having been retained since 1913 “so that children, years hence, would have an idea of the great stands of timber that once covered (the Municipality of ) Point Grey.”  (Charles Bayley, The Kerrisdale Story).  Join VHF, Bruce MacDonald, Terry Taylor and Terry Slack in sharing stories and childhood memories of the park, especially swimming in the pool. Did you know it was once a place where two streams converged? Little known facts about Maple Grove Park! If you have memories of the park, bring them and your photos to share with us!

1972, building purchased. Photo by Kate Craig or Eric Metcalfe.L: Glenn Lewis, one of the founders of Western Front; R: Gary Lee Nova, member of Intermedia. Photo from the Western Front collection.

On Sunday the 16th, get ready for an art & history filled day at the Western Front! Start the day at our 12pm plaque presentation recognizing the fascinating history and current life of the 1922 building at 303 E. 8th Avenue and stay until 6pm at the kid-friendly Open House.  Celebrating 40 years as a creative space for the exploration and creation of new art forms, Western Front continues to be an active force in Vancouver’s cultural community. We’ll be joined by one of the founding artists and members of WF, Eric Metcalfe, current Executive Director of WF, Caitlin Jones, and historian and artist, Michael Kluckner who worked in Mt. Pleasant for the local newspaper, the Mouthpiece.

Before Western Front bought the building in 1973, it was a Knights of Pythias lodge.  “Founded in 1892, Knights of Pythias, Mount Pleasant Lodge No. 11, was a fraternal organization which promoted friendship, brotherhood and citizenship. Many charitable works were carried out by the lodge, especially for children and seniors. However, a lack of members brought about the disbandment of the Lodge in 1897. Interest in a Mount Pleasant Lodge was later revived and Lodge No. 11 was subsequently rechartered in 1903. The Lodge continued its operations until the 1970s.” (CVA Fonds AM760). It operated at a number of different locations in the city until the present-day building was constructed in 1922.

Check out the schedule for the awesome open house events (plus snow cones, BBQ , hat making and cake!).  Western Front’s facebook page also has details of the festivities.  As if it couldn’t get any better, Main St will be car free from Broadway to 30th, so please be aware of the road closures! …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Every Friday the Peak has me in as a guest on their Peak Mornings show to quickly chat about One Awesome Thing happening in Vancouver right now.

This morning we talked about Vancouver Draw Down which is happening at 35 locations tomorrow, for FREE, all over the city. Learn what an “Exquisite Corpse” is and more in this segment…

Vancouver is home to a thriving fashion industry made up of individuals committed to its growth and success. Get to know these personalities in The Inseam and discover what makes the Vancouver Fashion scene so awesome. Every month, The Inseam’s Eco Edition focuses on the innovators that shape the green movement in local fashion.

Photo courtesy of Light Activewear

Vancouver is known world-wide for its technical apparel giants (heard of Lululemon?), and has even established a design school at Kwantlen for technical apparel innovation and advancement. Eco fashion is quickly becoming another niche area for Vancouver, and really, it was only a matter of time before the two started coming together. Meet Light Activewear, a local yoga and dance clothing company that is currently in the last days of an Indiegogo campaign for their new We Care collection.

While they have been in business since 2008, Michelle Lei and her sister Judy Lei felt the need to create a new line of clothing that brought attention to more sustainable textiles and garment production. They started We Care, which is sourced from polyester made from 100% post-consumer plastic waste, to bring more attention to sustainable options. Using the Indiegogo campaign to raise money for the expanding the new line and still more expensive textile, they are also donating part of the funds raised to the Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter.

I asked Judy why they felt the need to start a sustainable yoga and dance line, “We believe that the more people are aware that there are many substitutable options out there, they will demand that from big companies, thus bringing sustainable clothing to the forefront of the apparel industry.”

Photo courtesy of Light Activewear

Judy and Michelle both have a strong academic and career past working in design and apparel, so they knew where to source the recycled polyester and took a trip to Taiwan to find one of the world leaders in sustainable technical textiles. “Our garment manufacturer is located in China. Both our fabric and garment manufacturers are ISO certified abiding to the international standards of management.”

The fabulous Lei sisters sent me a hot pink long tank and a Darla jacket, which I wore to my dancer’s body bootcamp at the iDance studio in North Vancouver. They were both surprisingly light, and very soft and easy to move it. I kept the jacket on through warm-up, and then the tank and I got our butts kicked! Being a tallish person, I like that the tank is long and stays put no matter what position you are in. The Light Activewear goods have feminine styling details, attractive colours and prints, so people are going to definitely comment on them. What I’m happiest about is that after graciously accepting comments on how good I look, I can tell people they are made from recycled plastic!

There are less than three days left in their Indiegogo Campaign, and the perks you get for donating are well worth the money, with everything from discount coupons, tees, jackets and pants. While it may seem like there are lots of options for functional active wear around Vancouver, not many of them you can wear with pride saying it was made to high sustainability standards plus helped provide services to women in crisis.

Visit the Light Activewear website and head to Indiegogo to support their We Care campaign.