City hall usually seems to have already made up its mind by the time we hear about its various initiatives. But Vancouver Plan looks like a real opportunity to have some input. The City of Vancouver is asking all its…
Christmas cheer and the Salvation Army go together, from the ubiquitous bell ringers to the Santa Shuffle. But the Christmas Toy Shop, quartered at Glad Tidings Church on Fraser Street, makes the connection in a particularly colourful and festive way.…
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…
John Fluevog is celebrating 50 years in business, with John Fluevog Shoes having grown from a humble local enterprise to a network of 25 stores around North America, and a couple overseas. A new book and an exhibit at UBC…
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…
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…