Hope in Shadows 2013 Calendar

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 10th anniversary Hope in Shadows Calendar is now available on the streets of Vancouver. The calendar serves many purposes but its two main features are to showcase the photography of low-income residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community and also provide training to vendors who are all from the community.

Hope in Shadows Cover 2012
2010 Hope in Shadows cover. See more previous images on Flickr.

The Hope in Shadows calendar sells through our vendor program, which offers low-threshold sales work for people impacted by poverty and marginalization. By attending a basic sales training session, low-income people are licensed to sell the Hope in Sahdows calendar on the streets of Vancouver. Vendors get one free calendar to get started and make $10 profit for every $20 calendar sold. We train over 200 vendors every year.

I usually get my calendar from Catherine who has been posted outside Waterfront station in previous years. In 2010, she told me that she suffers from depression and severe anxiety and that getting out to sell the calendars is a highlight for her each year.

Last year Paul Ryan, Project Director at Hope in Shadows, told me that selling calendars is a stepping stone for a lot of people. “It helps them gain self-esteem and build confidence. It’s a way that they can feel good about earning money again.” Some of the vendors use the program to compliment a low-income for their household as well, especially with the holidays around the corner.

You can find a street vendor at most major intersections in Vancouver, on the West Side and Downtown, outside SkyTrain stations and in other high-traffic areas.

The Hope in Shadows Book is also available. Co-published by Pivot Legal Society and Arsenal Pulp Press, it is a collection of personal stories behind some of the stunning contest photographs that have been published in the calendars. The book has now sold more than 5,000 copies on the streets of Vancouver. In 2011, they also sold a record-breaking number of calendars — over 14,000!

When you make your purchase you’re not only getting a calendar that features local photography, you’re supporting the vendors and making a difference in our community. Follow Hope in Shadows on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about this project.

Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas 2012

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It was on this day in 1971 that the Burnaby Village Museum (then Heritage Village) was officially opened by Governor General Roland Michener. Aside from seasonal activities, it’s a year-round attraction where you can learn about Burnaby’s history, take a ride on the heritage carousel, and check out the old Interurban.

For the holidays, the Burnaby Village Museum is hosting a Heritage Christmas.

Galloping
Photo credit: Ruth and Dave on Flickr

The Village is illuminated this festive season with spectacular displays of lights that are sure to put you and your family into the holiday spirit! Lights in our parking lot are a teaser of what’s to see inside. Delight in the shimmering Winter Wonderland near the Love Farmhouse, an Angel-Crossing at the bridge, a Holiday Lane and be wowed by the gigantic multi-coloured Christmas tree sparkling near the carousel. Eco-sculptures, adorned with shining holiday lights, are out of their winter hibernation and along the edge of the meadow.

Stop by November 24th to December 14th, 2012 daily from 12:00pm to 4:30pm and December 15th, 2012 to January 4th, 2013 between 12:00pm and 9:00pm. The village will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Admission is free and carousel rides are $2.30. Follow the Burnaby Village Museum on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Central Park New York Photowalk

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

In Vancouver, Stanley Park is a close to a “Happy Place” as I can find. Forest trails, hidden creeks that come alive after a rain shower, and sweeping views of the North Shore. It’s full of life but it’s peaceful at the same time. So, when I come to New York, I always go for a stroll in Central Park (which is actually just a tad smaller than Stanley Park).

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View of Central Park from the Top of the Rock

We entered from the south, off West 59th, and went past the outdoor ice rink, which is apparently the largest of its kind on the East Coast. Grey squirrels dashed around among fallen leaves and toppled trees, which appeared to be victims of Superstorm Sandy’s winds just a few weeks ago. It’s a little-known fact that Stanley Park’s grey squirrels originated from New York. In 1909, eight pairs of grey squirrels were given to Vancouver from New York, for Stanley Park.

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My mother and I are in New York all week and since she’s never been to the Big Apple, I knew we had to start out with a walk in the park. There’s so much to see, you get a sense of the city (with a healthy mix of locals and tourists) and it’s absolutely free.

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View the rest of my photos (and the photos still to come this week) on my Flickr account and follow me on Instagram for mobile pics.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park 2012

Comments 223 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Bright Nights in Stanley Park return for the 15th year to illuminate the forest with holiday cheer. Benefitting the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, the miniature railway and surrounding area have been transformed into a festive wonderland fit for Santa and his elves.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park 2012

New this year is extended weekend hours with Bright Nights staying open until 11:00pm. Matinees are also being offered Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

Funds raised through the donations bins on site all go directly to the Burn Fund, which provides life saving, life supporting and life enriching services to the people in BC. This year the Burn Fund is also encouraging visitors to bring food items and baby supply donations (formula, diapers) for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park will be open from November 29, 2012 until January 1, 2013; Sundays to Thursdays 3:00pm to 10:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays 3:00pm to 11:00pm, along with the matinees.

Admission is $10 (adults 18-64), $7 (children & youth 3-17), free (children under 3 years), $6 seniors (over 65), and $5.50 for just the matinee train (all ages).

Advance tickets are available at Ticketmaster by calling 1-855-985-5000 or going online. Same day tickets available, starting November 29th, at the on-site Miniature Railway Box Office in Stanley Park from 12:00pm, (604) 257-8531.

If you would like to enjoy Bright Nights in Stanley Park with your friends and loved ones this year I have 4 family packs of tickets available (that each contain 4 tickets). Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment naming your favourite outdoor holiday activity (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win 1 of 4 family packs of tickets to @BrightNightsVan from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/fmjE2

I will draw 4 winners at random from all entries next Friday, November 23, 2012 at 12:00pm. Follow Bright Nights on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Update The winners are @AngieQuaale, Michael Kwan, Monique, Coby.

Santa Claus Parade 2012: Surrey and Vancouver

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Candies and costumes have been replaced with wreaths and ornaments on store shelves as we shift into the holiday season. Popular opinion is that it’s still too early to hear Christmas music but with December being just over two weeks away, plans are being made, gifts are being purchased, and many are ramping up for the festivities that will come.

The Vancouver Christmas Market opens next week, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is in a week, and two big parades will soon ring in the season:

DSC_4774
Photo credit: kiwi_cam on Flickr

Rogers Santa Claus Parade Vancouver

Website
When: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 1:00pm
Where: Starting at West Georgia and Broughton, traveling east along West Georgia, turning south on Howe and finishing at Howe and Davie.
Visit the Coast Capital Savings Christmas Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 10:30am to 1:00pm for pre-parade festivities and entertainment. Bring donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Non-perishable food items will be collected along the parade route, near the front of the curb or at the Coast Capital Savings Christmas Square.

Surrey’s Santa Parade of Lights

Website, Facebook
When: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 5:00pm
Where: The parade will start at 5:00pm from the Cloverdale Fairgrounds parking lot and will start down 176A St. It will then make its way to historic 176 St in downtown Cloverdale via 58A Ave.
The traditional parade with floats, marching bands, antique vehicles and horses will be joined by an amazing lighted Truck Parade. Everyone is encouraged to bring either a non-perishable food item or a children’s toy that will get picked up by one of the members of the Surrey Food Band and the Surrey Christmas Bureau.

Rogers Santa Claus Parade 2011
Photo credit: WinstonWong* on Flickr

Don’t worry kids! Santa will be able to make both events as the Vancouver parade is in the morning and Surrey’s is later in the evening.