Believe it or not, the thinnest commercial building in the world can be found right here in Vancouver. The Jack Chow Insurance Building, formerly the Sam Kee Building, is two storeys tall and 1.5 metres deep at its base—about the length of the average person’s arm span, from one fingertip to the other.
Rod Chow, who still operates his dad’s insurance agency out of the building at the corner of Pender and Carrall streets in Chinatown, says although the original owner, Chang Toy, purchased the property in 1903, it sat undeveloped until 1912, when the city widened Pender Street and expropriated 24 feet of the lot.
“Mr. Toy still wanted to get use out of his land, but he did it partly to spite the city,” Chow explains with a grin. “In 1913 he hired a top architect to design this narrow, steel- framed building. It had to be designed by experts, because of its unusual dimensions.” Chow, who is also an award-winning magician (if you’re lucky, he’ll show you a card trick while you renew your coverage), says in order to make the building work, Toy had a few tricks up his sleeve. The basement, for example, is much wider than the first floor, and extends below the sidewalk, which is set with glass blocks to let in light. The
building’s many windows also make it appear much roomier than it is. “At one point, the building was home to 13 businesses simultaneously,” Chow adds. “Now that’s magic!”
July 20, 2010
May 27, 2010
If you love animals and want to give back to the community, one of these volunteer opportunities may be right for you.
The BC SPCA (spca.bc.ca) operates with the help of 4,000 volunteers who work at the shelter and in a variety of fundraising, advocacy and education roles. Opportunities include dog walking, cat care, pet grooming, administrative support, special events, fundraising and more.
The Vancouver Humane Society (vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca), which is dedicated to spreading the word about the humane treatment of animals, doesn’t operate a shelter, “so we don’t have opportunities for volunteers to work directly with animals,” explains Communications Director Peter Fricker. As an education and research organization, however, there are opportunities to help with displays, exhibitions and more.
Vancouver Animal Control (vancouver.ca/commsvcs/licandinsp/animalcontrol) always needs energetic, caring volunteers who want to spend time with dogs that are waiting for adoption and help take care of them. “You can come in and play with the dogs, take them for walks and help with general care,” explains the Web site. “Even if you are already a pet owner, but have some time to spare for some other animals, you’re more than welcome to come in and volunteer.”
If you’re at least 16 and willing to complete a training session and commit to a minimum of eight hours of service a month, you can volunteer with the Greater Vancouver Zoo (gvzoo.com). Positions available include being a goodwill ambassador to zoo visitors, participating in special events and projects and assisting with the publication of the Wild Times Newsletter.
Finally, if you love marine creatures, the Vancouver Aquarium (vanaqua.org) looks for volunteers who can help with data entry, visitor engagement and food prep. “We rely on volunteer support in our school programs, galleries, gift shop, and—for our experienced Volunteers—Marine Mammal Rescue Centre,” says its site.
Written By: Noa GloubermanMarch 17, 2010
In the heart of Queen Elizabeth Park exists a magnificent triodetic dome, home to a natural green jewel. The guiding vision behind the creation of the Bloedel Conservatory was to demonstrate the relationship between man and nature in environments ranging from lush jungle to arid desert, faithfully recreating the whole range of terrains and incorporating a variety of flora and fauna all in one site. Built in 1969, it remains the second largest single-structure conservatory in North America.
This public urban oasis and therapeutic Eden showcases flora from the three major tropical biomes: rain forest, sub-tropics, and desert. Filled with over 500 species of plants, the environment is also alive with 100 free-flying birds, including half a dozen iridescent parrots, and includes a waterfall and a rock pool with Japanese Koi fish.
Host to everything from drawing and painting classes, school groups, and patients in search of horticultural rehabilitation therapy to wedding ceremonies and photo sessions, this sanctuary is favoured as a spot for tranquil repose, the quiet observation of nature, and the study of plants and birds for residents and tourists alike.
The Conservatory is still an extremely popular attraction but after 40 years of operation, the current challenge is the recent vote by the elected Park Commissioners to close the facility due to a $250,000 budget shortfall. The Park Board is currently developing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) in the hopes that a solution can be found. Closure is slated for later this year, but supporters of the facility are working hard to find a way to preserve this precious green space.
Become a friend of the Bloedel at friendsofthebloedel.ca.March 14, 2010
Vancouver was once known as the coffee-mad town with kitty-corner Starbucks (the two cafés still face each other where Robson intersects Thurlow); today, however, it’s side-by-side yoga studios that arguably make our town unique. But the real boon of this new development to Vancouverites: unprecedented access to an activity that’s as good for your body as it is for your soul, and a suite of styles to suit every yogi, offered by studios across the city.
Ashtanga @ Ashtanga Yoga Vancouver
ashtangayogavancouver.com
Synchronizing breath with a series of postures produces a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Benefits: improved circulation, a light, strong body and calm mind.Couples @ The Path Yoga Centre
thepathyoga.com
Non-competitive physical postures, conscious breathing, touch, trust, communication and “a healthy dose of playfulness” for partners. Benefits: time together.Flow @ YYoga
yyoga.ca
A flowing sequence of postures—standing, balancing, seated, inverted—focusing on core strength, breath awareness and alignment. Benefits: perfect balance of energy and calm for body and mind.Hatha @ Semperviva Yoga
semperviva.com
Classical yoga strengthens, stretches, tones and relaxes the entire body. Benefits: increased muscle tone, improved flexibility and concentration, and deep relaxation.Hot @ Moksha Yoga
mokshayogavancouver.com
This brand of hot yoga stretches, strengthens and tones the muscles, detoxifies the body and calms the mind. Themed classes may focus on breath awareness, building strength, etc. Benefits: reduced stress, rejuvenated internal system and “a little yoga twinkle in the eye.”Iyengar @ The Yoga Space
theyogaspace.ca
Uses props (ropes, straps, blocks, bolsters) for better mobility and steadiness in your practice. Iyengar stresses the importance of inverted poses: headstand, shoulder stand, handstand and elbow balance. Benefits: correct physical alignment leads to the goal of meditation in action.Kids’ @ Butterfly Yoga
butterflyyoga.ca
Yoga for kids of all ages, from preschool to preteen and beyond, as well as families. Benefits: builds strength and confidence in children.Kundalini @ Yoga West
yogawest.ca
In Hindu tradition, this pure spiritual science leads to enlightenment. Vancouver’s only Kundalini studio offers a variety of specialized classes, like a women-only series. Benefits: awakening of Kundalini (inner knowledge, awareness and evolved consciousness).Men’s @ Open Space Yoga
openspaceyoga.com
Designed to focus on most guys’ needs: releasing tight hamstrings and hips, stabilizing the core to reduce back pain and a relaxation series. Benefits: no girls allowed.Mom & Baby @ Neomama
neomama.com
A gentle-yet-challenging yoga-Pilates combo that helps new moms rejuvenate, recondition and realign the body. A portion of class is dedicated to infant massage. Benefits: get back to your pre-pregnancy body!Power @ Open Door Yoga
opendooryoga.bc.ca
Geared to those with prior posture experience, fast-paced power yoga, an Ashtanga-Hatha blend, works the cardiovascular system and incorporates the sun salutation series in a dynamic flow. Benefits: great cardio workout for experienced yogis.Vinyasa @ Sanga Yoga
sangayoga.ca
Like Ashtanga, Vinyasa connects movement and breath but allows the rearrangement of postures into different sequences that can meet your need or mood. Benefits: conscious control of body, relaxation of mind and release of energy blockages throughout.Yin @ Yoga Cara
yogacara.ca
Yin goes deeper, targeting connective tissues, such as ligaments, bones and joints normally not stimulated in more active styles of yoga. Benefits: rather than muscle development, focus is on the connective tissues and joints.Comments (2) Tags: Benefits, body, Cara, physical alignment, physical postures, Robson, Vancouver, YinOlder Posts »March 12, 2010
A beautifully prepared environment, where deliberate thought has gone into everything from the garden paths to the plates on the tables, communicates to children that we care about them. – Principles of Edible Education, The Edible Schoolyard – Alice Waters
While summer may still seem a long way off, for Barb McMahon, founder and executive director of Sprouting Chef’s kitchen garden programs for youth, it’s just around the corner—which means gearing up for their kitchen and cooking summer day camp program.
Founded in 2009 and rooted in the values ‘respect for self, respect for each other and respect for the earth’, Sprouting Chefs offers a fresh perspective on where food comes from, how to prepare it with love and respect and how to make healthy, sustainable food choices.
Starting July 5, Sprouting Chefs will offer various full-day camp sessions for kids ages 8 to 15. These unique five-day sessions include:
- specialized training led by professional chefs
- trips to community gardens and farms
- seasonal family-friendly recipes for soups, appetizers, main courses and desserts
- food and kitchen safety training
In addition to the tremendous kitchen skills being taught, this program teaches the kids important life lessons such as how to have fun in the kitchen, enjoy healthy food and connect to others while preparing nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Sprouting Chefs also offers leadership and mentorship opportunities in their Level III program for young teen participants. You can visit sproutingchefs.com for more information and to register your sprout for this wonderful summer cooking camp experience!
Sprouting Chefs will be offering upcoming cooking programs at the West Vancouver Community Centre as well as various Burnaby and Vancouver Locations. Sprouting Chefs is a proud partner of Whole Foods Market and Gardenworks. Please visit wholefoodsmarket.com and gardenworks.ca for more information on these partnerships.
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