The PNE Concert Series is one of the most highly-anticipated entertainment events in Vancouver. Having successfully wrapped the first annual Summer Playland Festival (“SPF2012”), the PNE has just announced their own line-up for this summer that will include their Summer Night Concerts along with a new afternoon WestJet Family Fun Series concert stage.

Photo credit: Stv. on Flickr

The Summer Night Concerts will run every evening from August 18th to September 3rd at 8:00pm on the WestJet Concert Stage. The WestJet Family Fun Series kicks off August 22nd and will take place every afternoon at 2:00 pm on the WestJet Concert Stage as well. Entrance to the WestJet Family Fun Series and Summer Night Concerts is free with admission to the Fair.

Fair-goers can also check out the new Star Trek exhibition (on top of meeting Brent Spiner and Marina Sirtis) and a live Family Feud game show daily, along with staple entertainment and attractions. Follow the PNE on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Triple O’s, makers of some of BC’s best burgers on the go, is supporting KidSport BC once again this month through an in-store and online campaign.

Photo: Triple O’s Facebook

Following a successful partnership in 2011 that raised $20,000 for KidSport BC, Triple O’s will launch a two week promotion for the same cause from June 25, 2012 to July 8, 2012.

The public will be able to contribute to their local KidSport chapter when ordering off the Triple O’s menu in any of the 29 participating locations. Funds raised during the two-week period will help kids with financial barriers experience the benefits of sport participation by covering the registration fees for a sport season of their choice.

Why KidSport? It provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. Sport got me through some tough years as a child and as a teenager and I believe every child should be able to have the opportunity to play sports — and not let the cost of equipment or fees stand in their way.

In addition to donating in-store, guests can help raise money for KidSport by re-tweeting the Triple O’s Twitter account with the tag #donate4kids. All re-tweets received TODAY will equal a $1 donation to KidSport (up to $5,000).

To help get the word out, I have 20 burger combo gift cards to give away (value $10). Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post listing your fondest sports memory (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

Enter to win a gift card and donate to a great local cause all in one shot! Since today’s the day for the re-tweet campaign, I’m only running this contest until midnight tonight. I will then draw 20 winners for each of the burger combo gift cards.

To learn more about KidSport, follow them on Twitter or Facebook and support them through Triple O’s this month.

Weather in Vancouver is always a hot topic, even when it’s dreary and soggy. By now, I’m certain everyone in and around the city has seen the forecast for the next week or so, featuring bright and smiling yellow sunshine icons. The only umbrellas we’ll see around here will be at the beach so to celebrate, I’ve scoured the Vancouver Archives for some old-time beach pictures:

1905. English Bay Beach. Archives item# Be P12.05. Photographer: Philip T. Timms.

1900. English Bay Beach. Archives item# Be P1.2.

1908. Kitsilano Beach. Archives item# CVA 677-138. Photographer: Philip T. Timms.

July 1, 1911. Dominion Day at English Bay. Archives item# Be P101. Photographer: Stuart Thomson.

1925. White Rock Beach. Archives item# CVA 677-896.

1928. Kitsilano Beach. Archives item# Be P15.1. Photographer: Leonard Frank.

1946. Third Beach. Archives item# CVA 586-4570.

Aside from its obvious function as a departure and arrival terminal for our region, the award-winning Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”) is known for its transit access, artwork, views, and free WIFI. Over the years the airport has engaged the public in a variety of unique ways to promote its other offerings such as retail options and the Observation Area. Keeping with this trend, they’re bringing back Take Off Fridays for the third year. This is family-friendly event takes place throughout the terminal with food, prizes, entertainment, and more.

Every Friday from now until August 31, 2012 there will be treats like samples from Jugo Juice, frapps from Starbucks, chocolates from Rogers, and discounts at World Duty Free and terminal restaurants from 9:00am until 3:00pm.

Live DJs will provide beats, acrobats and artists will entertain, and kids can get a balloon twisted or their face painted. There’s also a special Take Off Fridays parking rate of $5 (for up to four hours) if you want to head to the airport just for fun.

Follow the airport’s blog or Twitter account for more community information.

The Developmental Disabilities Association is sponsoring their 5th annual Vancouver Canadians game this summer. The Canadians, known for their community promotions and support of local non-profits are a great partner for the DDA, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness in support of children and adults with a developmental disability.

“In 1952, twelve parents of children with developmental disabilities came together to work towards integrating their children into public schools. By the 1990’s, that parent group, called the Vancouver-Richmond Association for Mentally Handicapped People, had become Canada’s largest charitable society of its kind west of Toronto. In 1998, recognizing changes in society, the wishes of its members, and its expanded role in the community, the Association changed its name; it is now the Developmental Disabilities Association…” [more history…]

DDA’s Night at the Nat will take place Wednesday, July 25, 2012 when the team takes on the Everett Aquasox. Tickets are just $12.50 and proceeds will suppose their work in the community. You can purchase tickets on-site with a cheque made out to the Developmental Disabilities Trust to make a direct donation or email jsmith[at]develop.bc.ca.

Donation bins will also be parked outside Nat Bailey Stadium. Through recycling items received in these bins (which can be found all around Metro Vancouver) the DDA is able to continue funding programs and services.

How to recycle with DDA:

• Bins: Drop clothing, bottles, and more items in bins as-marked.
• Pick-up: Have household items picked up (toys, games, dishes, records, stationary etc.)
• Drop-off: Donate anything from couches to tools at the Donation Station at 2643 No. 5 Road in Richmond.

The DDA is a cause close to my heart and they were kind enough to give me a tour of some of their facilities a few years ago. They have graciously offered up a pair of tickets to their special evening at the ballpark — here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries next Friday, July 13, 2012 at 12:00pm. Update The winner is Katherine Erica Son!