The Drift is an annual weekend local arts & culture festival taking place along Vancouver's trendy Main Street in artists' open studios and in participating local shops, cafes and restaurants.
Drift along Main Street and see an eclectic variety of fine art and original handcrafts from established and emerging local artists including ceramics, painting, sculpture, photography, woodcarvings, collage, mixed media, glass works, jewelry, film, clothing design, textiles & multi-media compositions.
Visit The Drift website for artist profiles, find participating retailers in SOMA/Mt Pleasant, get a Drift 2008 festival map, find upcoming art shows and workshops, and more.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Trout Lake Community Center renovation approved!
City council has set aside $23 million to renovate the Trout Lake Community Center. Unfortunately, Brittania Community Center, also in dire need of upgrades, was excluded from the $495 million capital plan despite hard lobbying efforts on its part.
If voters approve the plan in the upcoming November civic election, the funding plan will guide spending over 2009 - 2011.
For more details, see the CBC News article, or the Christina Montgomery article in the Vancouver Province.
If voters approve the plan in the upcoming November civic election, the funding plan will guide spending over 2009 - 2011.
For more details, see the CBC News article, or the Christina Montgomery article in the Vancouver Province.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Mount Pleasant Cheese Specialty Store
I just discovered that Mount Pleasant has a new Cheese store that is already cornering the market after just a few short months of being open. Sporting Canadian flags, this cheese shop is offering the best of the best and is now home to 150 high quality Canadian cheeses. See what Martini Boys have to say about the Mount Pleasant Cheese specialty store at 3432 Cambie St.
Monday, September 15, 2008
EcoDensity | Newly formatted Charter and Initial Actions
Newly formatted versions of the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions, which Council approved on June 10, 2008, are now available for download on the EcoDensity website: vancouver.ca/ecodensity
While the content has remained the same as approved by Council, the documents now contain graphics and have been formatted for easier reading.
Once again, to view the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions and for more information visit: vancouver.ca/ecodensity
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Council Approves EcoDensity Charter
Vancouver City Council unanimously voted on June 10 to adopt the EcoDensity Charter.
The EcoDensity Charter commits the City to make environmental sustainability a primary goal in all city planning decisions - in ways that also support housing affordability and livability.
The first two actions to be implemented by the City immediately are:
1. Rezoning policy for greener buildings: Applications for new rezoning will need to meet a minimum LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating, or similar equivalency in green design. The City will also be expecting that energy performance, water efficiency and storm water use be considered.
2. Rezoning policy for greener larger sites: Changes to rezonings for land that is two acres or more. A number of sustainability measures will be required for these rezonings, and for sites with housing, a range of types and tenures must be considered to increase affordable housing opportunities.
Longer-term actions that will receive priority include: an interim EcoDensity rezoning policy; options for backyard/laneway housing; more options for secondary suites; and removal of barriers to green building approaches.
Council initiated the EcoDensity program in July 2006. The final Charter and Actions incorporated public input from a Special Council Meeting that lasted seven sessions, amongst numerous other public consultation opportunities.
To view the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions and for more information: vancouver.ca/ecodensityMonday, June 2, 2008
Who Needs Insight on Insite?
Federal Government Health Minister Tony Clements prefers overdoses leading to death, than safe injection interventions that could lead to health. Appallingly, the Federal Government has made a decision to take the province to court after the BC Supreme Court's decision to support Insite.
Living in Vancouver, it is clear that drastic measures, services, and programs are needed to solve the issues. What is seen on the surface, is rarely ever the cause. While Insite may not be perfect, and it may leave a lot to be desired, it is the first positive step taken in Canadian society to move further forward with progressive and proactive measures that could lead to recovery.
Saving lives from this affliction is far more complex than a safe injection site. That safe injection site, however, becomes a valuable gateway to intervention; coaxing jaded and cynical people off the street who have been abused repeatedly. They might consider surrendering their negative lifestyle to the possibility and hope that our society's limited programs and services can help them get their lives back together.
Change is work, and it is hard work. Every healthy person recognizes this, and when we have bad days, we know how much more difficult - sometimes impossible - it is to succeed with change. If society wishes for the addict, street person, prostitute, and other at-risk individuals to "do the work," then society and government at all levels had better be prepared to do-the-work that creates the systems and structure that ensure success.
Insite, with an average of 600 daily visits, intervened to resuscitate 900 overdoses since opening. Liz Evans, who runs Insite in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health says, "If those injections were taking place in back alleys, those people would go under. There would be no nurse there to help save their lives."
"I don't think anyone has ever said that Insite is a magic pill that will resolve all the issues around mental health and addictions," says B.C. Health Minister George Abbott.
"No one has ever said that. I see, and the government sees, the provincial government at least, sees Insite as part of a continuum of services aimed at assisting addicts through their life issues."
Regarding Ottawa's drug policies, Abbott said: "I don't think they yet appreciate that it is useful to have the opportunity to bring some stability into the lives of people who have tragically very little stability in their lives."
Local enforcement professionals also expressed varied opinions on the subject, both for and against what Insite offers. The against position rightly expresses the overwhelming level of 'tolerance' that allows inappropriate behaviour to continue unchecked and without adequate consequences (if any). A significant reason our social issues have spun out of control is the lack of accountability, along with actionable and achievable goals that empower change.
Our own complacency had most of Vancouver turn a blind eye to the issues, and the escalation we're experiencing has resulted in more discontentment. As people become discontent, therefore less tolerant, the voices are likely to start clamoring for change. Even so, as expressed by some residents, some professionals, and some government offices, 'we don't want to encourage that here!'
A walk through a local green-space on the edge of Strathcona and Chinatown often reveals many reasons for this attitude's survival. Mere steps into the park space, right along the sidewalk, a mound of hypodermic needles still fresh in their packaging, is found. On the way to work in the morning, homeless are now found sleeping and bundled in filthy blankets on common property on residential streets. Walking across town, men and women alike are accosted on almost every block by those wanting, needing, and even demanding a handout. Could this why Insite is not recognized as working?
On one hand, the Federal Health Minister Tony Clement wants it shut down. This is looking like a political battle, not a battle for lives nor solutions. With the majority of the Conservatives backed by tough-on-crime critics, supporting Insite may have offended their reelection. Here in Vancouver, the Mayor, Chief of Police, and others are in support; likely also seeking the popular vote of Vancouver residents and business.
What are your views, your expertise, or opinions about these people, this issue, and how it can be solved? Are politicians and our systems capable? If not, why and what can we do?
Living in Vancouver, it is clear that drastic measures, services, and programs are needed to solve the issues. What is seen on the surface, is rarely ever the cause. While Insite may not be perfect, and it may leave a lot to be desired, it is the first positive step taken in Canadian society to move further forward with progressive and proactive measures that could lead to recovery.
Saving lives from this affliction is far more complex than a safe injection site. That safe injection site, however, becomes a valuable gateway to intervention; coaxing jaded and cynical people off the street who have been abused repeatedly. They might consider surrendering their negative lifestyle to the possibility and hope that our society's limited programs and services can help them get their lives back together.
Change is work, and it is hard work. Every healthy person recognizes this, and when we have bad days, we know how much more difficult - sometimes impossible - it is to succeed with change. If society wishes for the addict, street person, prostitute, and other at-risk individuals to "do the work," then society and government at all levels had better be prepared to do-the-work that creates the systems and structure that ensure success.
Insite, with an average of 600 daily visits, intervened to resuscitate 900 overdoses since opening. Liz Evans, who runs Insite in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health says, "If those injections were taking place in back alleys, those people would go under. There would be no nurse there to help save their lives."
"I don't think anyone has ever said that Insite is a magic pill that will resolve all the issues around mental health and addictions," says B.C. Health Minister George Abbott.
"No one has ever said that. I see, and the government sees, the provincial government at least, sees Insite as part of a continuum of services aimed at assisting addicts through their life issues."
Regarding Ottawa's drug policies, Abbott said: "I don't think they yet appreciate that it is useful to have the opportunity to bring some stability into the lives of people who have tragically very little stability in their lives."
Local enforcement professionals also expressed varied opinions on the subject, both for and against what Insite offers. The against position rightly expresses the overwhelming level of 'tolerance' that allows inappropriate behaviour to continue unchecked and without adequate consequences (if any). A significant reason our social issues have spun out of control is the lack of accountability, along with actionable and achievable goals that empower change.
Our own complacency had most of Vancouver turn a blind eye to the issues, and the escalation we're experiencing has resulted in more discontentment. As people become discontent, therefore less tolerant, the voices are likely to start clamoring for change. Even so, as expressed by some residents, some professionals, and some government offices, 'we don't want to encourage that here!'
A walk through a local green-space on the edge of Strathcona and Chinatown often reveals many reasons for this attitude's survival. Mere steps into the park space, right along the sidewalk, a mound of hypodermic needles still fresh in their packaging, is found. On the way to work in the morning, homeless are now found sleeping and bundled in filthy blankets on common property on residential streets. Walking across town, men and women alike are accosted on almost every block by those wanting, needing, and even demanding a handout. Could this why Insite is not recognized as working?
On one hand, the Federal Health Minister Tony Clement wants it shut down. This is looking like a political battle, not a battle for lives nor solutions. With the majority of the Conservatives backed by tough-on-crime critics, supporting Insite may have offended their reelection. Here in Vancouver, the Mayor, Chief of Police, and others are in support; likely also seeking the popular vote of Vancouver residents and business.
What are your views, your expertise, or opinions about these people, this issue, and how it can be solved? Are politicians and our systems capable? If not, why and what can we do?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Mt. Pleasant Community Projects Ongoing
Dear SCG Members and Working Group Leaders;
1) Social Coordinating Group
It time again for our monthly Social Coordinating Group meeting - Native Education College (285 5th East Ave).
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Regular SCG Meeting #4
The Agenda: basically we will be hearing back from the four working groups on what they have been doing since April 8th. As SCG members you will be asked to comment on possible ways that you can help the working groups overcome any outstanding issues and concerns so that they can continue to move forward to develop and implement the local action plans. We have some new community faces coming out this time!
Pizza and refreshments will be served again, so if you have any allergies please let me know that when you RSVP back so that I can better meet your needs. Thank you. (please include your phone number).
2. Neighbourhood Clean Up
May 10, Saturday, 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon
A small, but very dedicated, group (Carolina Group) is hosting their annual neighbourhood clean up (10 years plus), and we are all welcome. Please let me know if you need more information. Hope to see some of you out this Saturday. Dana's cell 318-7460 (604). We are meeting up at Carolina and 11th Ave E.
3. Community announcements - of the Social kind
If you have an announcement(s) about an event or program that relates to the work that the SCG is doing and you want to share it with others please let me know. I am posting events to the Mount Pleasant community site to better keep us all in touch (an earlier suggestion made at a SCG meeting). http://www.vancouver.ca
That's it for now
====================
Dear Mount Pleasant CLG members,
Hi, everyone. We have scheduled our fifth meeting of the Mount Pleasant CLG for:
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Native Education College
285 East 5th Ave. (at Scotia St.)
Since our last meeting, we have completed Shopping Area Workshop (SAW) #1, with over 50 people in attendance. Participants divided themselves into groups according to the existing shopping area in Mount Pleasant they wished to discuss:
1. Uptown (Main: 7th to 16th; Broadway: Ontario to Guelph; Kingsway: 7th to 12th )
2. Broadway West (Ontario to Yukon)
3. Broadway/Fraser (Guelph to Prince Albert)
Following a site visit to the shopping areas, ‘creative sessions’ were held, facilitated by urban designers, to find out key concerns and aspirations held by workshop participants. Posters with potential options/directions and maps were used to encourage discussion and record people’s ideas. We are mailing you a draft transcript of the workshop (i.e., posters with comments, along with photographs of the maps produced by the groups).
Our CLG meeting will review SAW #1 results, and introduce the tasks for SAW #2 (taking place on May 25th; attached is a poster advertising the event). These tasks involve using criteria suggested by workshop participants, along with criteria contained in City policy, to begin evaluating the options which emerged from SAW #1. The CLG meeting will also touch on our preparation for the residential workshops beginning in the fall, the consultancy for a land use and urban design study of Main St. (2nd to 7th), and the work being done by the Social Coordinating Group.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, please call Angela Ko at 604.871.6598 and let her know. Thank you in advance for coming to the meeting.
Yours truly,
Peter Burch
Planner
Mount Pleasant Community Planning Program (MPCPP)
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