By ejohnlove on June 3, 2004 - 9:09pm
(John clears his throat and self-consciously steps up onto his wobbly soapbox...)
*Ahem...*
In an article published not too long ago (I think in the Georgia Straight), Bill Teilman (sp?) wrote about Lorne Mayencourt's proposed bill for tougher penalties - fines - against agressive panhandlers. I believe Bill (go Bill) said essentially said that taking this position made Mayencort essentially a hypocrite, since Mr. Mayencourt had been bankrupt twice and had had a loan or two forgiven in his day. My impression is that it was for more than mere pocket change.
Mayencourt's position is, IMHO, too extreme and counter-productive, punishing the poor without offering any contribution towards a long-term solution.
For all his own idealistic promotion, at least Svend Robinson spent a night in a homeless shelter to bring awareness to the homeless problem in Vancouver. And that was years ago, when I think it was not as bad as it is today...
Care to get your sleeping bag out Lorne?
Storyeum is open (congratulations to the Storyeum folks!) and FREE today (for adult's that's a $22 value for free!). Tours are 72 minutes long and start on the hour. Get your tickets in advance. I wil be there at 5p.m. A full report later today.
Urban Vancouver now features a June 2004 is Bike Month Special Report. So far all we have listed are the Bike Month 2004 Events, but if you would like to post your stories, photos or events related to Bike Month, feel free to create an account and we will include what you post in the special report. The events (along with other events in Vancouver) are listed in chronological order at the Urban Vancouver events listings.
By Roland Tanglao on June 1, 2004 - 11:47pm
Here's what looks to be the official line on the Storyeum opening from a comment left by an anonymous poster. Click read more to get all the details:
By Shane Birley on June 1, 2004 - 6:36pm
It is official - Storyeum is not open. They have missed their June 1st deadline - but, not to worry. A quick call into their offices and I talked with one of their staff who informed me they are not wanting to compromise the quality of the show and are not confident viewers would have a positive experience. That just shows they are just not finished yet and need a little more time. I am willing to give them as much time as they require. This event will be something to see and I support them in wanting to start it off right.
They are currently working on an hour to hour basis and are hoping to have their first show on Thursday, June 3rd, at noon. I will keep checking in and fill you all in as things develop.
Here are more stories about Storyeum that were filed just in time for the opening, today June 1, 2004. WARNING: some of the links may rot eventually but they should be OK for a couple of days.
Got a story or a comment on Storyeum? Post a comment here or
By Boris Mann on May 31, 2004 - 10:05am
Cross-posted to ye olde Election Blog at Blogs Canada.
As you know, every election, our country becomes covered in clapboard and plastic signs advertising the candidates. As the campaign proceeds, four or five signs can sprout on a single street corner, competing for the 'eye-share' of passing commuters.
Oddly, signage seems to be a cornerstone of campaign marketing.Darren Barefoot: Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Darren goes on to question the value of signs, when we are bombarded with (so much better funded) corporate advertising all the time.
Well, you know what we at StreamLine think: we're giving away free blogs to federal election candidates. Have your local candidate contact us.
By Boris Mann on May 31, 2004 - 1:39am
As pointed out to me by Mary, the CBC has an article which thinks that the hazardous material scare at Cordova and Seymour on the bus was actually completed fictitious:
[Dr. Richard Mathias, a leading UBC epidemiologist] says mass hysteria is on the increase in a post-911 world filled with fear of bio-terrorism, and other triggers for anxiety.
And he notes it's likely public health officials agree with his conclusion about the bus incident.
"I suspect that they are very much in agreement with the diagnosis of a mass socio-genic event. I think they need to tell people that, and lower the level of stress," he says.
Vancouver.CBC.ca: Mass hysteria blamed for bus incident
I don't know what to think, but I do want to know the answer. Whenever I hear the words "mass hysteria" used, the only thing I usually think is "conspiracy".
By Roland Tanglao on May 30, 2004 - 11:24pm
Check out the cool photo of the Elvis Orca over at Burrard and Nelson over at 2bitstudios.com
By Shane Birley on May 29, 2004 - 10:32pm
Located below the ground.
Beneath the ancient Woodward's parkade, dwells a dream.
Storyeum.
(Feel that dramatic power. Yes, I know, that opening was a little dramatic and borderline silly, but Storyeum needs some catchy text to grab the attention of potential audience members and I am willing to do my part.)
I have been talking about Storyeum with people all over lately and now I will share with you the dream that lives in the heart of Storyeum's creator, Danny Guillaume. I took some time this past Thursday and mingled with writers and reviewers from all over the Lower Mainland at the press screening of Storyeum. I took this little adventure in stride. I talked about what Storyeum was about and how it all should work and my excitement took some of them by surprise. Each and every one of them was curious about this mystery below Gastown and I seemed to be one of the few that knew anything about it.
