25Dec 2013 by R&O No Comments
Maestro For A Minute

Maestro For A Minute

Events, Music, People, Silly Stuff
Last week, lucky holiday shoppers at Vancouver’s Oakridge Centre had the chance to ‘conduct’ professional choir Musica Intima Vocal Ensemble in a performance of Handel’s Messiah (in homage to Improv Everywhere’s “Conduct Us"). It's harder than it looks. Especially when the choir actually follows the conductor. Watch the video above and you can't tell me the woman at 2:54 hasn't done this before. And the guy right after her has NEVER conducted a choir in his life. Really. But all good fun and worth a few laughs for shoppers and participants. And those of us that watch the video above. [youtube]6Z4Avnsjpbo[/youtube]
Read More
24Dec 2010 by R&O No Comments
United Boulevard Launch

United Boulevard Launch

Arts, Business, Entertainment, Events, Food, Of Interest
Some time ago I was scouring the internet for a list of furniture stores on United Boulevard in Coquitlam, the area commonly referred to as Mecca for furniture shoppers. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a comprehensive list or even a web site to help me with my search. The tiny gears in my head started spinning, the light went on, I yelled "eureka!" then promptly forgot all about it. Until about a month ago. After many, many hours of sometimes tedious work, lots of phone calls and a slow drive through the United Boulevard area taking notes, I've just launched UnitedBoulevard.com, a site that I hope will help others looking for the same information I was and help customers find the products and services available in this fantastic shopping area. We've…
Read More
01Dec 2010 by R&O No Comments
The Death of Moe

The Death of Moe

Cancer, Events, Health
Movember is over and so rings the death knell of Moe, the moustache that took up residence under my nose for the month of November. Moe was conceived to support the Prostate Cancer Canada fund raising event that's turning into a global phenomenon, prompting politicians, celebrities and men from every walk of life to let the lip hair spring eternal and sport a cheesy face fender. The world witnessed a variety of mo's from large and unsightly to small and unsightly. I even came across nests of participating employees in Costco, Thrifty Foods, the liquor store and other places where manly men congregate and grow gnarly facial hair. This year's Movember event was significantly more popular than past years with Canada beating all participating countries (even Australia, the originator of…
Read More
21Nov 2010 by R&O 4 Comments

Last Day at 2250 Granville

Events, Of Interest, People
June 27, 1997 was the last day of Pacific Newspaper Group (formerly Pacific Press) at 2250 Granville Street in Vancouver so I brought my crappy video camera to document the festivities before the big move to 200 Granville Street, our present location. Pacific Press moved into 2250 Granville Street in 1965 (from 100 West Pender) and although the old building was showing its age and smelled and looked somewhat like a Dickensian aslylum, it felt like a newspaper building. The floors would tremble when the big presses started up for the day's printing and there was a general sense of camaraderie and participation in the group effort it took to produce the newspapers. The top floor lunchroom had a spectacular view and was used by everyone involved in the day-to-day…
Read More