Things we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week…

The Great Train Debate

Former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt and Patrick Condon, senior researcher at the UBC Design Centre for Sustainability, participate in a debate on the subject of LRT systems vs. the SkyTrain.
Jan 21 | 7:30pm – 9pm | The Alice Mackay Room, Vancouver Public Library | Free admission

Hell Hath No Fury

The Constant Wife opens at the Arts Club this Thursday. “Why get mad when you can get even? In this classic comedy of marriage and revenge, the discovery of her husband’s infidelity sparks in Constance some rather unusual behaviour!” Story by Somerset Maugham. Directed by Morris Panych.
Jan 22 – Feb 22 | Arts Club Theatre | Ticket prices vary | Visit website for details

Get Your Donk On

Australia Day wine-tasting event featuring wines from Australia, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and prizes. From the Wine Australia website: “Australia’s first vineyards were planted in 1788 in a small area near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Today you will find vineyards throughout all 63 designated wine regions totalling 170,000 hectares. Current export figures place Australia as the fourth largest exporter of wine, selling to more than 100 countries around the world and contributing $5.5 billion to the nation’s economy.” More information at www.wineaustralia.com
Jan 24 | 7:30-10:30 pm | Vancouver Public Library | $50

What Is It Good For?

Mobilization Against War & Occupation has organized an “ISRAEL OUT OF GAZA” anti war rally – this is important information if you are a) wanting to take a stand against the occupation of the Gaza Strip or b) are planning to drive through the downtown core on Saturday around 2:00pm. If a peace agreement is in place by Saturday, we suggest sleeping in and watching . Either way, here are the details:
Jan. 24 | 2 pm | Vancouver Art Gallery | www.mawovancouver.org/

Taste BC

Liberty Wine Merchants host the second annual Taste BC winter tasting event in support of B.C. Children’s Hospital. In addition to the wonderful wines there will be a selection of local food as well as live music, door prizes, and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will go to the Oak Tree Clinic to help Mothers and Children with HIV.
Jan 21 |4:30 – 7:30 pm | Hyatt Regency Vancouver | $50

Drinks You Can Believe In

If your Obama joy is still bubbling over by Friday – Join in the Obama Inaugural Party at WISE Hall. Celebrate the first African-America President of the US and a major G8 nation with an evening of speeches, videos, open mic, dancing, food (on sale by Aksum Ethiopian restaurant) and drink (and cash bar).
Jan 23 | 8 pm-1 am | WISE Hall | $20 in adv. and $30 at the door | Tickets

Junior Major

Garage/pop/indie band Junior Major hits the Biltmore for a CD release party. Also on stage The Good News, The Paper Cranes, and The New Values.
Jan 23 | Doors @ 8pm | Biltmore |

Did You Freakin’ See That?!

At the Vancouver International Film Centre this week you can catch ten ‘eye catching classic effects-laden films’ coupled with 20 informative speaking events. SPARK FX 09 is bringing films like Alien, Pleasantville, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (and everyone’s old school fave – The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad) back to the big screen. Many will be introduced by film historians and film-makers to provide context and insight into the making thereof.
Jan 21 – 26 | Vancity Theatre | Various times | $10 | For show times visit the Vancity Theatre website

So Arbitrary It’s Awesome

The Original Costume Museum Society presents a discussion by Colleen Miller, owner of Button, Button, and fashion historian Ivan Sayers on the history of the button: “Holding it Together in Tough Times: The Humble Button”
Jan 25 | 2 pm | Hycroft Mansion | $20

Gung Haggis Fat Again

Toddish McWong’s Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner. This much anticipated blended event will feature Silk Road Music Ensemble, a Gung Haggis dragon dance, lots of Robert Burns poetry, Opera Soprano Heather Pawsey as well as the debut of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Pipe Band.
Jan 25 | 5pm | Floata Seafood Restaurant | $60

Salt Listening Room

From the CBC: “Something insignificant is sometimes said to be worth ‘a pinch of salt.’ On the other hand, people of impeccable integrity are often called, ‘the salt of the earth.’ Salt is now among the most common substances on earth, although once it was rarer and more valuable than gold. On Ideas this week, Paul Kennedy considers the incredible history, science and mythology of salt.
Jan 19 | 9:05 p.m. | 690 on your am dial | FREE

Be Heard

The Mount Pleasant Community Planning Program wants your input on the direction of development in the light industrial area of lower Main St. in Mount Pleasant. What serves the area well? What needs changing? It’s a chance to discuss with City staff and your neighbours some of the major issues and opportunities facing the area. Feedback from the workshop will lead to the drafting of directions, policies, and plans for this area in Mount Pleasant. Sandwiches and snacks provided.
Jan 25 | 12 noon – 5 pm | Native Education College 285 East 5th Avenue | FREE

The Lord of the Cheese

Salt Cellar is holding a special cheesmakers event with Ryan Trail of Mt. Townsend Creamery If you are interested in learning about the delectable cheeses produced by Mt. Townsend, sample through them, and enjoy an American wine flight to compliment the wares, give Salt a call and book a seat. The event isn’t until next Tuesday, but buy a ticket now before they all sell out.
Jan 27 | 7:00 pm | Salt Tasting Room | $40 | Call 604-633-1912

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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