Dominique Fricot iPod Pharmacy for Music Heals

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

We all have these pocket-sized time capsules lying around that contain our favourite music from the past decade. Shoved into drawers, sitting on shelves, on it a big box marked “recycle” that’s been sitting around collecting dust. What can you do with your old iPod or mp3 player? You can donate it to the iPod Pharmacy and support Music Heals.

Old iPods

Music Heals is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that supports a wide range of music therapy services to communities across Canada by providing ongoing funding for those agencies that develop and use music therapy.

The iPod Pharmacy is an initiative started by Peak Performance Project Top 20 artist Dominique Fricot. He will be teaming up with businesses and schools during the week of October 15th and 19th and is also giving away a free house concert by drawing a name from all those who donate their devices this month.

So, gather up your old iPods and mp3 players (that are still in working order) and donate them so that someone can have the simple gift of music. Send them to:


Attn: iPod Pharmacy
Suite 400 – 1788 W. 5th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1P2

Follow Music Heals on Twitter and Facebook for more information, and follow Dominique Fricot on Twitter to find out where he’ll be and where you can donate in person.

UPDATE iPod Pharmacy Week drop-off locations have been confirmed for October 15th to 19th, 2012:

Tom Lee (All 7 Locations in Greater Vancouver)
929 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L3

Marquis Wine Cellars – 10% discount with donation
1034 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3

The Five Point – 25% discount with donation
3124 Main Street
Vancouver, BC V5T 3G7

The Cannibal Café – 25% discount with donation
1818 Commercial Dr.
Vancouver, BC V5N 4A5

Museum of Anthropology: Luminescence: The Silver of Peru

Comments 43 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Whenever I’m asked to list my top local attractions or must-do experiences you’ll always find me mentioning two places: Stanley Park along with the Museum of Anthropology (“MOA”). Ever since our elementary school class visited the museum decades ago, I have been fascinated with the culture, history, art, and deep West Coast education I soak up with every visit to this Arthur Erickson-designed building.

MOA - Museum of Anthropology MOA - Museum of Anthropology MOA - Museum of Anthropology MOA - Museum of Anthropology

Aside from its permanent collections, Canada’s largest teaching museum also hosts special exhibitions, the latest of which is Luminescence: The Silver of Peru.

The gleaming exhibition celebrating Peruvian history and culture will open to the public on Friday, October 5, 2012 and be on display until Sunday, December 16, 2012. It features more than 140 artifacts assembled from private and national museum collections, as well as from the Patronato Plata del Peru.

moa-silver
Silver Dance Crown, Vivian and
Jaime Liébana Collection. Photo courtesy of MOA.

Bursts of bright light danced across the royal courts, ceremonies, processions and battlefields of pre-Columbian Peru. Reflected by the gold and silver of crowns, jewelry, regalia, costumes and banners, such luminosity proclaimed the divine power and authority of Andean priests and rulers for nearly 2,500 years.

Despite the 16th century Spanish Conquest, the importance of the reflective properties, and divine qualities traditionally associated with gold and silver, were not forgotten. New techniques were developed to satisfy the novel demands of the Catholic Church and colonial elite.

Later, Peruvian Independence inaugurated a revival of the indigenous use of silver, and the introduction of a new style of silverware celebrating the country’s distinct flora and fauna.

The Museum of Anthropology is located at the University of British Columbia, 6393 NW Marine Drive and is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm; 9:00pm on Tuesdays; and will be closed on Mondays after October 9th. The exhibition is free with admission which is $16.75 for adults, $14.50 for seniors and students, and $44.75 for families. Children 6 and under are free and group rates are available.

I have two passes to give away for the Museum of Anthropology so that the winner and a guest can enjoy this exhibition and the museum’s other collections. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • RT to enter to win passes for @MOA_UBC from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/eaLuF

    I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 12:00pm.

    Follow along on Twitter and Facebook to learn more.

    Update The winner is Marina!

The Great BC Shake Out 2012

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

This month schools, offices, families and individuals are invited to join The Great BC Shake Out, an annual earthquake preparedness drill that takes place around the world. At 10:18am on October 18, 2012 everyone is encouraged to Drop, Cover, and Hold.

I remember earthquake drills when I was in elementary school as the province prepared for “the big one”. When the San Francisco area earthquake hit while we were watching the World Series at Candlestick Park in 1989, it drove the point home — we need to be prepared.

You can sign up online to register your group or renew your registration from last year, which saw 17 million people participate globally. BC already has 470,000 participants registered for the 2012 event.

Drill manuals are available online and schools can download other resources such as flyers, banners, and general preparedness information.

Follow The Great BC Shake Out on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

PowerSmart Month 2012: Power-Plinko

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

October is BC Hydro PowerSmart Month which focuses on sharing information about conserving energy, using electricity wisely, finding the right electronics and lighting options for your home, and offering great deals and savings to consumers. Throughout PowerSmart Month I will be sharing updates, deals, and a few exciting giveaways.

Power-Plinko

Power-Plinko is a new online game that gives players the chance to win daily prizes like London Drugs gift cards, ENERGY STAR LED bulbs, or the grand prize: a Samsung Home Bundle featuring an ENERGY STAR refrigerator, dishwasher, 40” TV and stereo (daily prize winners are automatically entered to win the grand prize).

All users can play once a day at PowerSmart.ca but to try again, you’ll have to earn extra plays. You can search Power Pointers or the Deals Page to look for hidden codes or share on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the links you’ll be provided at the end of your game. Global TV News will have codes daily and I have a handful of codes to share including Energy4 which you can use today for an extra chance to win prizes when playing Power-Plinko.

Follow PowerSmart Month on Twitter for more information, deals, and events happening throughout October. Check back here tomorrow for another play-again code for Power-Plinko and other PowerSmart deals.

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival 2012

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Fort Langley Cranberry Festival is coming up on Saturday just ahead of Thanksgiving. Now in its 17th year, the Cranberry Festival features a full day of activities for all ages in this historic community.

cranberries
Photo credit: aloalo* on Flickr

Join the free fun in downtown Fort Langley on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. A pancake breakfast starts off the day at 10:00am and is following by cooking demos, live music, over 70 market vendors selling everything from crafts to specialty candy. Of course there will also be cranberry sales throughout the day.

There will also be cranberry programs & activities at Fort Langley National Historic Site, BC Farm Museum and Langley Centennial Museum.

Road closures will be on Glover between 96 St and Mavis Ave, Mary Ave between Glover & Church, Church St from Mary St to Marina Park, and King St from Mary St to Mavis Ave. There will be a shuttle from Walnut Grove Secondary in case you don’t want to look for parking in Fort Langley (there will be some parking available at Fort Langley National Historic Site). Community shuttle buses also run into Fort Langley from Langley Exchange.

For more information about the day’s events follow Tourism Langley on Twitter and Facebook.