West Point Grey has long been one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the region and boasts some of the most expensive properties (and best public beaches) in Canada. There is relatively little through-traffic, except going to UBC past the main shopping…
Merry Christmas – and a Happy New Year! I will take a break from my weekly updates over Christmas; back in January. Time is tight as the big day looms, but there still some appealing Christmas treats on the near…
Pope Francis would like to see more nativity scenes on display in homes and public places. In an apostolic letter December 1 he said: The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to…
Fari Maghami is devoted to the 600 block of East Hastings Street. I found him behind the counter of Eden Cafe (643 East Hastings) on its opening day, late last month. He knows the whole area very well though, having…
There are a handful of exceptions, but almost all the events between now and December 25 are Advent- and Christmas-related. Not surprising, I suppose, but the volume and range is impressive. So I think I’ll just highlight the list of…
The Surrey Board of Trade honoured A Rocha Canada with its Surrey Agricultural Leadership Award November 21. Here is a portion of their release: The Surrey Board of Trade recognized the outstanding achievements of a Surrey business that has made…
Archbishop Michael Miller asked that the following letter – regarding a clergy abuse report due November 22 – be read aloud in all Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Vancouver last weekend: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Although the…
A couple of years ago, my family and I walked a few blocks to our church to take part in its annual Christmas lunch. The cross-section of people in attendance was remarkable: middle-class families from our church, older homeless men…
Vancouver Sun columnist Douglas Todd had Vancouver School of Theology professor Jason Byassee write a guest column October 29. Following is Todd’s introduction and Byassee’s column, which are re-posted by permission: Even though Santa Ono presides over a secular university,…
Churches are welcoming their neighbours in a variety of ways on Halloween night. Several are opening their building for festivals, fiestas and family nights, while others are moving right out into the community. Here are the church-based events I have…