Back of the Class

There’s some excitement and buzz downtown Vancouver. The new Apple Store is opening in Pacific Centre soon. Just how soon, I am not sure, but a stroll through the mall last week, showed some hype and mystery behind those big white panels. Any hope of seeing into the store was halted by the security guard.

I won’t have to drive for miles to get to H&M in Coquitlam anymore either once they open their new store in Pacific Centre on May 22. The old Holt Renfrew store is being demolished and 12 new tenants will occupy that space. I won’t miss it. How many of us could afford to shop there anyway? One of the new stores is “Teenflo” - no not a store for teenagers, rather for modern women, already with stores back east. Looks like we have some fun shopping ahead of us!

Tragically, the body of Japanese student, Ai Ito was found on Blackcomb Mountain. It is not exactly clear what happened, but more than likely she fell into what’s known as the Water Basin and could not get herself out and died of hypothermia.

Sad end for her family and for search and rescue teams.

Today, April 4th is Pay it Forward Day. The idea comes from the novel Pay It Forward, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which was made into an inspiring movie in 2000, starring Helen, Hunt, Kevin Spacey and Haley Joel Osment.

Do between one and three good deeds for others without asking for anything in return. Instead the recipient should be instructed to pay it forward to someone else in need.

Actually, the concept goes back to Benjamin Franklin in 1784, when he said: “I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you […] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro’ many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money”.

Shouldn’t we all try “Pay it Forward”on any day, not just on this particular Day?

I came across this really amazing website, with link after link of more amazing websites, and 3 hours later, I thought “Now, what was it I originally wanted to look up?”.
It’s so easy to get “lost” on the internet - it truly is a maze of information, sometimes useful, sometimes useless.
So, here’s the link - keep going, to next page and next page. search and enjoy some really cool stuff, and post your comments and share what sites you found interesting.

So many of us, head out on day trips into the woods, hiking or to the mountains, snowboarding, skiing or whatever and neglect to tell family and friends where we are going and when we are expected back.

This has hit home the past couple of days when we heard about a 25-year-old female Japanese student who went snowboarding in Whistler on Thursday and her homestay family only became concerned about her whereabouts on Sunday when she did not return home for the weekend.

Ai Ito, a Japanese student studying English in Whistler, was headed on a solo run. You could call it shear bad luck that her school was closed for the Good Friday holiday and her home-stay family thought nothing was unsual because Ito sometimes stayed overnight with friends.

She wasn’t reported missing until Sunday, when an immediate search was launched, but that delay may not bring the positive result we wish for.

Her family has since arrived in Whistler from Japan, but hope is fading fast as temperature have dropped to -12 to -15 in that part of the search area.

We pray for a miracle and her safe return.

I just realized that for many people Spring Break starts tomorrow afternoon, and for some people that is a frightening thought, for others a welcome break from early mornings, packing lunches, rushing kids off to school, hassling with homework, and schlepping them to or from extra-curricular activities. For us older folk, its a welcome break from our work or studies, time to catch a breather and perhaps do some fun stuff in slighter warmer weather.

You can spend a day at Science World and /or Imax, the Aquarium at Stanley Park, take a ride on the skytrain to New West Quay, go up Grouse Mountain or take the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay. A day trip to Bowen Island is always great - perhaps take your bikes for some exersize too.

Don’t forget Monday is St Patrick’s Day and you can check out the 5th Annual Parade on Granville Street Sunday, March 16 at 11 am.

I was so fascinated to see these photo’s of Dubai and how it has exploded in growth in the past few years, so I thought I would post this. Seems like a great destination to visit.

Dubai in 1990

in 2003…

and in 2007!

and the tourist attractions……

The Burj Dubai. Construction began in 2005 and is expected to be complete by 2008.
At an estimated height of over 800 meters, it will easily be world’s tallest building when finished.
It will be almost 40% taller than the the current tallest building, the Yaipei 101.

Palm Islands
The Palm Islands in Dubai. New Dutch dredging technology was used to create these massive man made islands which are the largest artificial islands in the world and can be seen from space. Three of these Palms will be made with the last one being the largest of them all.
Upon completion, the resort will have 2,000 villas, 40 luxury hotels, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other facilities. It is expected to support a population of approximately 500,000 people.

Many Jazz lovers are mourning the untimely death of Jeff Healey, a Canadian guitarist, singer and songwriter who died of lung cancer on Sunday, aged 41.

Healy lost his sight as an infant and developed a unique guitar style, forming his first band at 17, performing his passion for old-time jazz, playing the trumpet and clarinet.

The Jeff Healey Band was formed in 1985 and signed with Arista Records in 1988 and released the Grammy nominated album, See the Light. He earned a Juno award in 1990 as Entertainer of the Year.
He leaves his wife, Christie and two children aged 13 and 3.

No Country for Old Men was the big winner this past Sunday. Joel and Ethan Coen’s movie lived up to expectations and was awarded Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Javier Bardem.

The Oscar for Best Actress went to France’s Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose. Best Actor went to Britain’s Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood. Tilda Swinton took home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton.

Other big winners of the night were the Bourne Ultimatum for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing, There Will Be Blood picked up an award for Best Cinematography and La Vie en Rose won for Best Makeup. Ratatouille was named Best Animated Film. Oscar for Best Original Song went to “Falling Slowly” from Once.

For a complete list of the nights winners, click here.

Don’t look directly at these rings.

Eva Longoria’s ring from Tony Parker

Christina Aguilera’s ring from Jordan Bratman

Katherine Heigl’s ring from Josh Kelley

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s ring from Ross McCall

Salma Hayek’s ring from François-Henri Pinault

Heidi Klum’s ring from Seal

Jennifer Lopez’s ring from Marc Anthony

Amy Winehouse and Kanye West had amazing performances at the Grammy awards lastnight. They both took awards home with with too.

Winehouse, who had visa issues, couldn’t make it to the awards show in LA. She performed live via satellite. Her performance was much improved from her singing a few months back at the European MTV Music Awards. She even paid homage to her husband, who is incarcerated.

Winehouse took home five trophies.

West impressed the Grammy audience with his glow in the dark performance of “Stronger”. Many in the crowd shed tears while the listened to him sing “Hey Mama” - a tribute to his mother who passed away from complications following a cosmetic surgery. He even shaved “Mama” on his head.

West won four trophies.

The City of Vancouver had its fourth homicide of 2008. A 19-year-old man was killed on Saturday night in the city’s south side. Police has said that this incident was targeted.

The victim has been identified as Pritpal Singh Virk of Richmond. Virk was found lying on the street around 11:00pm by a passerby.

Virk was rushed to a hospital, but died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Apparently, the victim was visiting friends nearby and was shot after he stepped outside.

The police are asking anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed the incident.

For more information, please click here.

The underdogs win Super Bowl. The New York Giants were a team many had discounted time and time again this season, go home as victors.

The Giants defeated an undefeated team - the New England Patriots. The Patriots had a 19 game winning streak, unfortunately they fumbled in the game that mattered the most.

Eli Manning was named the Super Bowl MVP.

A victory parade is planned to be held on Tuesday to honour the Giants win. Hundreds of thousands of supporters are expected to attend the event. The parage will begin at Battery Park at 11:00am and proceed northbound in the Financial District - along the “Canyon of Heroes” route - to Chambers Street.

Giants players, team officials and city notables will ride in the parade, culminating at a victory rally at City Hall around 1:00pm.

A spy satellite, from the US, has lost power and could hit the Earth. The satellite is about the size of a small bus and could plummet to Earth in a few weeks, government officials said Saturday.

The out-of-control satellite could contain hazardous materials, what is known is that it contains rocket fuel - hydrazine, a colourless liquid which is toxic and can cause harm to anyone who comes into contact with it. Officials are unsure of where the satellite may come down. The officials revealed this information on a condition of anonymity as this information is classified as secret.

Experts believe that this satellite does not pose a threat to people.

If the re-entry of the satellite isn’t controlled, the US runs a risk of exposing its secrets.

It is still unknown when the satellite lost power or how.

For information, visit CBC or BBC.

A 15-year-old boy, a recent immigrant from the Philippines, died due to a fatal stabbing early Sunday. A 19-year-old man, who was also stabbed is in stable condition in a Vancouver hospital.

Police were called to scene when residents nearby Gray’s Park complained about noise. Police found the two victims in an alley way.

This is the third homicide in Vancouver in 2008

Deward Ponte, 15, had left his house after telling his parents that he was going out to play basketball with his friends. He was a grade 10 student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.

If anyone has any information on this case, place call the Major Crime Section at (604) 717-2500.

For more information, click here.

The Vancouver Canucks are on a winning streak. They won all games in regulation in three weeks. Canucks and Canuck fans hope they keep this run when they face-off against the St. Louis Blues tonight at Scottrade Centre.

Vancouver taxpayers will not be refunded for garbage collections that were cancelled during the city workers strike. Unfortunately, it looks like Vancouverites will actually pay more fees for this service.

Vancouver Council is thinking about hiking the annual fee for collecting garbage containers. This recommendation, suggested by city staff, may see the fee go up $6 to $105. The hike is needed, say staff, to cover higher wages, fuel and other costs.

During the strike, the Vancouver government saved about $1.2 million. Since garbage had to be picked up eventually, more money wasn’t saved.

Fore more info, click here.

There can be nothing more distressing and heartbreaking for a parent, than a missing child. My heart goes out to the family. Please read this and if you know anything about this child, call 911.

Thor Che DEHR
14 years old

Thor left Kitsilano High School Tuesday November 13th prior to 12 noon and was last seen at a music store in the 3100 Block Arbutus at 12:40hrs.

Thor is a respectful and well behaved youth however there are some issues and pressures that he is currently dealing with, causing him to avoid returning home, having contact with family and attending school.

Police patrol officers and the Missing Persons Unit with the School Liaison members have conducted a thorough investigation. He is currently characterized as a “missing person.”

He was last seen wearing a black skateboard T-shirt with the word INDEPENDENT across the front and a large red, black and white “independent” cross on the back. He was wearing dark blue jeans and grey runners..

Thor is described as a W/M,14 yrs, 5’4, 130 lbs, dark brown crew-cut hair and blue eyes.

If any of Thor’s friends know of his whereabouts or if anyone sees or knows where Thor may be, please call The Missing Persons Unit at 604-717-2530.

This is very uncharacteristic of Thor and his family is very concerned and desperately wish for him to contact them and return home.

Sgt. 1090 Ron Fairweather
Missing Persons Unit
604-717-2529

I’ve lived in BC for many years and have used the skytrain many times. Could never understand
why we’ve never had turnstiles or a decent regulatory system like New York, London, Paris or Amsterdam to name a few.

Finally now that the Olympics are approaching, translink are going to do something about fare evaders, making sure that all riders pay, or most of them, anyway.

Previously translink had said that turnstiles were too expensive to be viable, with earlier estimates of retrofitting fare gates at $90 million to $120 million. Translink’s goal is that turnstiles will be in place at all stations before the 2010 Games and commuters will be able to pay with a smart card, which can be loaded online.