February, 2010

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Faces Lit with Patriotism

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

On my way through the city on Thursday night I was able to capture national pride – artfully presented on people’s faces. Not too many words are necessary here:

Australian Fans

Alison and Brook from Australia showed their national pride for Lydia Lassila, who won gold in the Ladies‘ Aerials on Wednesday. Brook and Alison were on their way to the victory ceremonies to cheer for their compatriot receiving Olympic Gold.

National Pride for the US

Four young women from the US (to the right) smiling despite their growing hunger. They were looking for a good place for dinner – I happily shared my recommendations with them.

And then some rap dancers proudly representing Japan spotted on Granville Street. There was quite a number of young people dancing away – they looked great and seemed to have fun.

Canada "Fan Dog"

Last but not least I also found some particular Canadian patriotism – I guess these days any living thing serves as a canvas for patriotic pride. Tough times for cute dogs – they don’t have a choice in the matter!

Go Canada Go!

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

Posted in Blenz.com | No Responses »
Tags: Australian Fans, Canada, Fans from Japan, Monika Becker, patriotism, US

Where will you be on March 6th?

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Nicole Marie
@nmarieevents
www.nicolemarieevents.ca

This wasn’t the first time that Sunday morning e-mail sifting proved to give me just what I was looking for.

Rewind two weeks ago. Coffee in hand and prepared to perform a mass e-mail cleanse. As I was scrolling through, an e-mail with certain tag-lines caught my eye: live music, art, silent auction, fundraising, wine (!!!) and food (!!!).

Fast-forward to this past Saturday. The inbox cleanse had led me to find a fabulous event in the city, organized by an even more fabulous individual: Amber Branny. On Saturday I had the pleasure of sitting down with Amber, coordinator of Hearts for Haiti. Energetic and oozing with drive, Amber created a first impression that could rival the best; however, what really blew me away was that she is organizing this fundraising event, along with assistance from five dedicated women, on an entirely volunteer basis; zero profit, 100% donation of proceeds to the Red Cross Hatian Relief Efforts. How big of a project has this been? Check it out.

Hearts for Haiti will be held on March 6th, 2010 at the Pacific Palisades Hotel on Robson Street. The event will begin at 7:30pm, and will include a silent auction with donations from fabulous artists. With live music performed by the local and very talented Jazz artist, Marla Guloien, this event will give guests the opportunity to mix and mingle with like-minded individuals, while supporting a cause that remains to be in need.

Acknowledging this as a large event is an understatement, but Amber’s passion was clear upon our first meeting.

“Since 2009 was a financially difficult year, I knew that many, including myself, wanted to do more than a $50 or $100 donation. Being involved with art auctions and fundraising events in Vancouver, I thought ‘Hearts for Haiti’ would be a great way for the community to step up, artists to contribute and the public to feel as though we are supporting the devastation that occurred. I want guests to feel as though we didn’t forget about the thousands of people whose lives are displaced from this earthquake. It will obviously take years for Haiti to be rebuilt, however the money from this event is going to medical supplies and relief efforts which is critical right now.”

Tickets for the event are only $25, and can be purchased online at www.heartsforhaitivancouver.org. Each event ticket includes one drink and appetizers.

You’ll want to be there! (And you will want to meet Amber…trust me!)

So where will you be on March 6th?

Nicole Marie Events will be donating their time in a coordination capacity for Hearts for Haiti.

Posted in Blenz.com | No Responses »
Tags: donation, earthquake, fundraising, Haiti, Hearts for Hait, Nicole Marie, Pacific Palisades Hotel, silent auction, Vancouver

“Inspiring little number nines and little number ninety-nines”

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Kassandra Linklater – @Klinked on Twitter

I write this post under time pressure because a) ‘I have places to go, things to do and awesome people to meet tonight’, and b) there are four minutes on the clock in the third period. If you aren’t aware of my time crunch, then you clearing aren’t watching the soon to be shut out that our amazing Canadian Hockey team is throwing down at Canada Hockey Place (GM, post March 1^st).

The women have played a flawless game. Period. With the Great One in the audience, it is amazing to see how far women’s hockey has come. But let us not forget, the women’s team has been rocking it in the shadows of the men’s games for years. 98 – Silver, 2002 – Gold, 2006 – Gold, 2010 – and as the buzzer has just sounded – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD.

At the Vancouver Peace Summit in 2009, the Dalai Lama announced, “The world will be saved by the western woman.” As much as enjoy the sound of that sentiment, I think the word ‘western’ should have been omitted. Given the chance, the possibilities for women just seem endless.

And tonight, I’m sure the Canadian women’s team feels On. Top. Of. The. World.

Good job.

Signing off for now,

Kassandra

Check me out @Klinked or walking around the city, looking for your story.

Kassandra is currently the News Editor of Kwantlen’s independent student newspaper – The Runner, a member of Kwantlen’s President’s Ambassadorial Team (PAT) and the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Mentor program – Leaders of Tomorrow

Posted in Blenz.com | No Responses »
Tags: Canada Hockey Place, Dalai Lama, gold, Hockey, Vancouver Peace Summi, Womens

How I Became a Hockey Fan

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

by @bsainsbury

I’m Canadian, but I wasn’t a hockey fan until tonight. My friend Barbara came in from White Rock and we’d originally agreed to go to Heineken House in Richmond. She arrived at Waterfront Station a little later than she’d planned. It’s 45 minutes before the Canada-Russia hockey game – we made the decision to head into Gastown. My twitter buddies has let everyone know the bars and restaurants in that area are almost empty.

Not a half a block away there’s no line-up at German House. How can that be? Inside the place is busy, but we’re able to find two seats right up front of the two-story screen with a sound system that rattles windows two blocks away. Everyone is happy, there’s a table of Aussies whooping it up at the next table – we’re all becoming fast friends.

The hockey game starts and the room errupts ..