Morning Brew: May 6

Posted by Jon
Filed in News
May 6, 2008

re:place continues their look into bus stop design, but more importantly has a wonderful essay on what needs to change with this city's venues if we hope to propel Vancouver's creative community to the next level. I think this is a good place to start:

9. Fostering a Culture of Support
Why are we so negative all the time? It is about time Vancouverites start extolling the virtues of the spaces, people, and activities that make this city great. Write letters, show support, and highlight the positive.

If you think Vancouver's music scene has problems... take a look at Calgary. They just announced the amazing sled island festival for the end of June. With a lineup five times as exciting as Pemberton's, including a load of local bands, all at almost half the cost; I know where I'll be damaging my eardrums this summer. But the funny part is the list of venues; Calgary's choices pale next to Van's, and bands like Broken Social Scene, Yo La Tengo, and Mogwai might end up playing places like the Calgary Science Center and the Glenbow Museum? I can't wait.

Wednesday at Langara there's a debate over who should be responsible for social housing. I think the guy behind the world's first billion-dollar home could lend a hand. Sigh.

A plan to ship our garbage off to the States has been strongly opposed. Hasn't 'Hollywood North' been doing that for years?

An Alberta study shows that the incidence of hepatitis C has 'grown explosively'. I can only guess how things compare in B.C. Oh, and add criminologists to the list of those who support the safe injection site.

Walk-in pap smears for BC women this week, while HPV vaccines will be offered to girls in grades 6-9 next year. The DTES may be a lost cause, but the province is goin' all out to clean up our province's pussy. All joking aside, this is a good thing. I'm just worried 'equality'-induced testicular cancer screenings could be oh-so easily abused.

The Richmond Night Market may live yet...

If only the Westside Ninja and the stolen 50-foot gorilla could have joined in on Surrey's baseball bat vs. pitball action to elevate these stories into something truly farkable.

What kind of person are you: would you rather take a photographic tour of the blundered Olympic torch trip or watch a cat play a theremin?

photo courtesy of tilo driessen