The Artist Who Built a 28ft Wide Falcon

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

Chilliwack artist, Kevin Stone has recently completed a huge project he’s been working on. This art project was originally meant for a show in Las Vegas, but that, unfortunately, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This larger-than-life, 28-foot-wide, 3,000-pound metal sculpture can be seen from blocks away. This stainless-steel falcon sculpture is called “Bird of Prey.”

The piece of art was supposed to be transferred from Chilliwack down to Las Vegas for the Big Boys Toy Show. This show is a fancy lifestyle exhibition that shows some of the world’s most lavish and innovative products including cars, yachts, planes, robots, and giant 3,000-pound falcons.

This isn’t the only wildly creative artwork that Kevin has made. Over the years he has worked on large eagles, a dragon, and some smaller pieces as well. Hours and hours go into the design, and he finds photo ideas online, then prints them as an outline and gets to work.

He started the Falcon back in January. He starts with a base frame, then builds other parts such as the head and wings and welds them onto the body. The stainless steel he uses is the same high-quality steel that is used for medical instruments and the food industry.

The large falcon also comes apart easily. Stone designed it this way in order for it to be easily transportable to Vegas. “The wings have lifting points and they just slide out. When you’re ready to install it, they just slide back in,” he says.

Kevin has been doing this for about 15 years and has even opened his own shop called “Stone’s Speed Shop,” eight years ago.

Now, Stone is looking for someone to purchase this massive sculpture as he no longer needs it for the Las Vegas show. He is hoping to sell it for $350,000, so if you are in the market for a ginormous stainless-steel falcon, you can view it Monday to Friday outside Stone’s Speed Shop at 45920 Rowat Ave. in Chilliwack.

Ozzy Wiesblatt’s Story to Fame on the Ice

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

Ozzy Wiesblatt never had a normal life. From the moment he was born, he was forced to adapt to things many people never have to do in their lifetime. One of these things was learning sign language, as both his parents Kim and Art were deaf.

Growing up, Kim was a mother of four boys and one girl. Eventually splitting with Art, Kim was challenged to raise all five children on her own. The entire family learned sign language before they even learned English.

The boys struggled a bit in school growing up because English wasn’t their first language so communicating with people was more difficult for them. Then Kim decided to get them into sports in hopes it would help their social life. She started with soccer, and then someone suggested to put them in hockey. She said no, she couldn’t afford it, but the man was able to convince her to do so. All four boys loved hockey and we’re really good at it.

But Kim was struggling. Her family was struggling. She has a hard time paying the costs of hockey for all four boys by herself. Until two local families generously opened their homes, allowing the boys to continue chasing their hockey dreams.

Each one was able to get into a WHL team in Alberta. In November 2019, Ozzy and his brother Orca played against each other for the first time. Ozzy was with the Prince Albert Raiders and Orca was with the Calgary Hitmen.

They’ve all been working the entire time they’ve been playing hockey to make the NHL. Ozzy Wiesblatt entered his first year of draft eligibility ranking 19th overall North American skaters. Although the season was shortened due to the pandemic, he placed second on the team in scoring with 70 points in 64 games. As a result, Ozzy was drafted in the first round, 31st overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

This heartwarming story shows that even through struggles, and doubt, following your dreams is the most important thing.

Mountain Resorts to Check Out This Ski Season

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

With the winter season slowly approaching us, so is the ski and snowboard season. For this year, things may be a little different up on the slopes. But that’s not going to stop snow sport lovers from living their passion.

There are a lot of highly popular ski mountains and ski towns in BC. Some ultra-popular ones are Fernie Alpine Resort, Big White Ski Resort, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, and of course, Whistler Mountain. If you’re looking for some more local mountains closer to Vancouver, here are some options for you, Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Mt Seymour, and Sasquatch Mountain Resort. Here’s some more info on a few of them.

Fernie is a small historic town in B.C. that is surrounded by the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Fernie has a thriving cultural scene and a scenic tranquil town. Ever since 1919 Fernie has been hosting skiing and snowboarding for visitors, and in 1963, Fernie’s bid for the 1968 Winter Olympics helped lay the foundation for today’s Fernie Alpine Resort.

Big White Ski Resort is a well-known resort in Kelowna surrounded by mountains and many small lakes. They have trails for snow sports from beginner to extreme expert. Big White also has western Canada’s largest resort night skiing area. How cool is that?

Whistler Mountain is probably one of the most popular resorts because it is an entire ski town. They have tons of summer and winter activities to do including skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ziplining, bungee jumping, hiking, and much more. The Whistler Village also has hundreds of small shops, restaurants, and also nightclubs. The nightlife in Whistler is almost as good as the day life!

Sasquatch Mountain Resort is a newer small resort in Agassiz B.C. There are many cabins up on this mountain where people rent out, use for a getaway, or live in. They have one bar, and one little cafeteria to keep you satisfied throughout the day in the snow. This resort is the perfect place for the family.

I hope you’ve gotten some ideas on new places to try out your favourite winter sports this season! Enjoy the slopes!

The Affects COVID-19 Has on Sports

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in different ways. For some people it entailed losing their job, for some their job got significantly more chaotic, and for many, it affected their mental health. Today I’m going to take a closer look at how this global pandemic has affected sports including athletes, coaches, and support staff.

As we know, many sporting events have already been cancelled due to COVID-19 such as the Tokyo Olympic Paralympic games and the European Soccer Championships.

In Canada, the Executive Director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, Canada’s largest and most powerful minor hockey league, says they can no longer pay lip service when it comes to making hockey more affordable. Canada’s billion-dollar youth sports industry has been strongly affected by COVID-19. Many baseball and soccer leagues across Canada have already cancelled their seasons as well.

Some of the reasons sports in Canada are so greatly affected is because many sports are contact sports meaning the athletes will constantly need to be close to and around other players, there is lots of heavy breathing involved in physical activity which will spread germs fast, and many people are struggling with money right now.

For many sports, organizations usually roll over registration fees to the next year, but for this year most have decided to give the full refund back to the family. “There’s so much uncertainty right now, we didn’t think it was the right time to be taking money from families,” Leaside Hockey Association’s president Susan Irving told CBC Sports. “There are a lot of people that are going to be unemployed, especially given we’re going into a recession and we want to do everything we can to make sure that we get all players back on the ice.”

These are only some of the effects that COVID-19 has taken on sports this year, and I’m sure we are all on the same page when I say I hope sporting events can go back to normal soon.

2020 Whistlers Writers Festival

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

The Whistler Writers Festival is happening online running through Zoom this year from October 15 to October 18. This festival started 19 years ago in a living room, and now 19 years later it is back in a living room due to the pandemic, but that’s not gonna stop them!

The theme for the 2020 Whistler Writers Festival is to listen, write, read, connect. The events this year will all be virtual, and the festival will include workshops for emerging writers, readings that encourage healthy debates, and a vibrant connection with an audience.

There is a long list of speakers who will be helping to run the online event this year. There will be a large variety of reading events, writing events, and workshops, all day every day of the event. This is a great opportunity to come together with fellow book lovers and discuss all kinds of topics relating to the festival. The key cornerstones of the festival are connecting to authors and writing.

Thursday’s workshops will be alternatives to traditional publishing, while Friday will feature a full day of sessions on publishing. Friday evening there will be readings from a few of Canada’s favourite authors, accompanied by some awesome live music. Saturday will include various workshops on craft.

This year, there is also a virtual bookstore where you can purchase your books in advance of the events to support the authors at the festival.

This festival would be a great event to attend if you’re a bookworm or a writing lover. These workshops will provide awesome tools that will be helpful for your personal life and your career.

There is a ton more information on The Whistler Writers Festival website at https://festival.whistlerwritersfest.com/welcome/ including a full event schedule, full list of authors and speakers, tickets available, the bookstore, and more. Enjoy the festival and get ready to learn and connect!

Cultural Values and Beliefs in Canada

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

Canadian culture is known to be one of the politest, and most peaceful groups of people in the world. In fact, one of Canadas biggest stereotypes is saying sorry. But there is more to Canadian culture than many of us know. Having a deeper understanding of Canadian values and beliefs will help guide you in your own cultural immersion.

In Canada, the hierarchy is not very evident. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states many things including equality for all people in Canada regardless of gender, age, race or religion, freedom of speech, the right to live and seek employment anywhere in the country, and much more.

Informality in Canada is noticeable throughout the country. There are no strict dress codes unless in the workplace. Anybody is free to dress how they want, wherever they want for the most part. People in Canada also are generally addressed on a first-name basis. However, it doesn’t hurt to add Mr./Mrs./Ms. just in case.

Being on time in Canada is a big deal. Many Canadians view punctuality as a sign of respect. Whether it’s for a meeting, an interview, school, or work, the general consensus is to arrive 10-15 minutes early. This is also why deadlines are taken pretty seriously. Punctuality in Canada is important to many people because it shows your integrity.

Canada has many diverse cultures. Historically, Canada has become a strong nation by welcoming immigrants. Canada also became the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy.

Canadians tend to have a strong pride in their country and respect for the rich resources the land has to offer. Many people in Canada love outdoor activities such as hikes, boating, and camping. Parks and campgrounds are always maintained for gatherings and almost everyone follows environment-friendly policies.

For Canadians, many of these values and beliefs are important in their everyday life. Learning and understanding these are a fundamental part of growth.

Indigenous Art in Vancouver

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

Living in Vancouver, I’ve always been intrigued by Indigenous art. It is everywhere. These beautiful sculptures, woodwork, and murals are all across the city and they really stand out.

Totem poles are one of the many forms of Indigenous art that you will likely see if you drive through Vancouver to Brockton Point. There is a lovely display of First Nations totem poles in the eastern corner of Stanley Park just 10-15 minutes from downtown Van. A totem pole is a monumental carving for Indigenous peoples that represent stories, or history in their culture.

Another place you’ll notice a beautiful indigenous sculpture is right out front of the Vancouver Aquarium. This piece of art is called the Haida Killer Whale, Chief of the Undersea World. This sculpture is an example of Vancouver’s Native art at its finest.

The time, energy, and creativity that gets put into wooden carvings and painting for Indigenous art pieces are incredible. The beauty and design of murals across the city are eye-catching. Wooden masks are carved and made for costumes for Native gatherings called pow-wows. In this culture, art is more than just a visual. It is a way to tell stories, show history, communicate, and understand each other.

In Vancouver, there are a few popular Aboriginal art galleries where you can view or purchase Indigenous arts and crafts. Here I am going to list a few:

Hill’s Native Art
Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
Lattimer Gallery
Skwachay’s Lodge Urban Aboriginal Art Gallery

I believe that taking the time to learn and understand the importance of art in Native culture, is essential for living in Vancouver. The population of Indigenous people in Vancouver and BC is over 200,000 and therefore I believe being able to understand the meaning of why we see their art across our nation is necessary.

The Vancouver Art Galleries “Art At Home” Series

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

Are you interested in designing art in a different way? Do you love to be creative? Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many of the popular attractions in Vancouver have had to close down, some permanently, and some indefinitely. Many places have learned to be flexible and adaptable to our new norm, creating ways to learn, create, and engage in similar activities online.

This year the Vancouver Art Gallery has been able to do this and launched a series called “Art At Home.” These series are digital family programs designed to create a way for people in quarantine, and everyone at home, to be inspired and get creative. At the Vancouver Art Gallery, they believe that art has the power to help the community come together, especially during these tough, unprecedented times. These online sessions will run until December 31, 2020.

Every Sunday, the Gallery is sharing an art-making activity online on their website and social media accounts, taking inspiration from their exhibits, or artwork from a permanent collection.

Every second Wednesday at 1:30 pm, the family programs coordinator for the art gallery will share stories about the lives of artists and their approach to making art. These will be a live Art At Home session on Zoom.

A few of the art activities you can learn from these Art At Home sessions are printmaking abstract landscapes, bubble wrap monsters, collage with pictures and words, silhouette portraits, wearable art, and much more.

If this interests you, you can find out more information at:

https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/exhibitions/art-at-home

Also, to keep up to date with Zoom sessions and new activities, check out the Vancouver Art Gallery on social media.

Experiencing these new tips and tools can be a great way to stay in touch with your creative side, and even get inspired to create art of your own. Making art is a special way to design something you can be proud of, as well as learn and grow from.

The 17th Annual DTES Heart of the City Festival

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

The 17^th annual DTES Heart of the City Festival is still happening this year from October 28^th to November 8^th, 2020. Because of the circumstances of COVID-19, the festival has adapted to an online version this year, with twelve pre-recorded virtual options to get involved.

Every year the Vancouver community looks forward to the Heart of the City festival. This celebration holds the opportunity for cultural exchange and getting together with one another. This year, you can expect 12 days of online and pop-up outdoor events, including ceremonies, films, workshops, music, arts, and history. This festival is special because it allows artists and residents of the DTES to indulge in diverse traditions, languages, cultural roots, and stories. One of the poets, Sandy Cameron says “When we tell our stories we draw our own maps and question the maps of the powerful. Each of us has something to tell, something to teach.”

This festival usually happens in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, one of the oldest neighborhoods rich in culture and historic events. 2020’s festival theme is “This Gives Us Strength.” This theme was decided as our community copes with racism, a worldwide pandemic, physical distancing, and a fentanyl crisis.

The website http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com has all the most recent updates of dates and times for online events you can tune in to from home. Keep in mind, some of these events do need a ticket purchase.

“The mandate of the Festival is to promote, present, and facilitate the development of artists, art forms, cultural traditions, history, activism, people, and great stories about Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The festival involves professional, community, emerging and student artists, and lovers of the arts,” as per the Heart of the City Festival website.

If you’re looking for something to do this year to get more involved and connect with people and different cultures, check out the Heart of the City Festival 2020.

Vancouver’s Most Famous Features

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Taylor Hollman

The city we live in holds various cultures and extreme beauty. There are many great things Vancouver is well known for. Here are a few.

The Beauty

Vancouver is one of the only places where the beach, the countryside, the ocean, and the mountain tops are all within one hour of each other. The Greater Vancouver area is filled with lakes, camping grounds, and hikes. The city is surrounded by beautiful views from every direction.

Local Seafood

Because it is right on the ocean, Vancouver is famous for fresh, local seafood, including salmon, halibut, and spot prawns. BC salmon is so good that it is shipped to every part of the world. If you’re a seafood lover, Vancouver is the place to be.

Variety of Cultures

All across the lower mainland, there is a wide variety of different cultures with a unique mix of European, Asian, and First Nations. In Vancouver, you’ll be able to see aboriginal art galleries and totem poles everywhere you go.

“Hollywood North”

Vancouver is known to be called “Hollywood North,” because of the huge film and TV industry in the city. Many popular shows and movies are filmed in Vancouver including the Twilight Saga, Night at the Museum, Mission Impossible, and the X-Men films.

Canucks

Of course, the Vancouver Canucks are a highly talked about a sports team. If you follow hockey, you know the Canucks have played in the Stanley Cup Finals multiple times, and even caused a riot in the city when they lost. Overall, a popular hockey team across BC and Canada.

Rain

Can’t forget the rainy city. With rain in the forecast about 165 days a year, Vancouver is well-known for being wet. You know you’re a Vancouverite when you plan activities for rain or shine!

There are many wonderful things Vancouver is known for and that just names a few. So, whether you’re lucky enough to live here, or get the chance to visit, take the opportunity to appreciate everything Vancouver has to offer.

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