A Bomb Cyclone Haiku

Bomb cyclone is here. Wisdom of trees; perspective. Catastrophizing. - A haiku about how weather these days has different, scarier names than it used to; if this is catastrophizing, I hope it is effective...
Elevating and Grounding

Elevating and Grounding

The best experiences simultaneously are elevating and grounding for people. Elevating means advancing something worthwhile, connecting people to a purpose or cause, and realizing our potential by striving with boldness. Grounding conjures ideas of sensibility,...

Solve Problems by Crossing the Streams

We work in silos. The boundaries might be fuzzy like a Turner landscape, but community, collaboration, and innovation can suffer as a result. We can improve our ability to work together to surface and solve problems by learning from how we socialize with the help of technology.

How to Bridge the Gap between Research and Action

How to Bridge the Gap between Research and Action

Go to any academic journal and pull up a random scientific article. Can you understand it? Chances are you will probably not understand all of it. Even if you do understand all of it (yes, even including the statistical analysis section), do you understand how this relates to the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of other articles done on the same subject? And equally as important, do you have the time to sift through stacks of articles to make an informed decision on a program, policy or service you are considering implementing in either your private or professional life? Herein lies the value of knowledge translation.

Livable Laneways Paths to Plazas Event

Livable Laneways Paths to Plazas Event

For the second year, Vancouver City laneways are being re-imagined, and public events are taking place in the bustling lane at Broadway and Main bringing musicians, local business operators, artists, urban farmers and producers, residents, and visitors to the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Livable Laneways Night Markets is a VIVA Vancouver initiative supported by the City of Vancouver. Coordinated by Livable Laneways, a non-profit organization, Paths to Plazas is an example of how they are dedicated to transforming the overlooked laneways and alleys of Vancouver into pedestrianfriendly zones.

Vote for Alan Bates!

Vote for Alan Bates!

For the last four years, Dr. Alan Bates has been leading Vancouver’s Street Soccer community. Street Soccer is soccer for people affected by homelessness. As a resident physician in Vancouver’s inner-city hospital, Dr. Bates sees many people affected by mental illness, addictions and homelessness in the emergency room. When he heard about Street Soccer, he recognized it as an opportunity to help a similar group of people, but through sport.

Vancouver Startup Gives Back to Community Through Crowdfunding

Vancouver Startup Gives Back to Community Through Crowdfunding

Weeve users are asked to “give smarter” by allowing their dollars to go directly into community projects in need of funding. Beta-launch partners include Seva Canada, YouthCo, SharkTruth, and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Through Weeve, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s “Campaign for BC Children” is aiming to raise $5000 to help build a new hospital.

Social Change Leadership

Social Change Leadership

On Thursday I participated in an awesome staff retreat with my very awesome teammates. One of the many themes of discussion for the day was the Social Change Model of Leadership, made popular (at least within circles of higher education) by Susan Komives and her community of practice.

Meet Your Maker

Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth – a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning.

Tips for Landing an Awesome New Job!

Tips for Landing an Awesome New Job!

Take your time with offer – on the happy day that my offer letter arrived in my inbox, I was so excited that I would have signed it on the spot. I got some great advice to take my time with the offer and really think about what I was signing. Negotiate – be gracious and consider the offer letter as the starting point in a conversation. It’s not easy but it’s not that hard either. Ask a friend to help you practice so you’re comfortable and position yourself to start your new job on the right foot.

Main Street’s Coffee Block

Main Street’s Coffee Block

In Vancouver it isn’t uncommon to see a coffee shop juxtaposed to a coffee shop juxtaposed to a coffee shop across the street from a coffee shop, especially in my neighbourhood, Mount Pleasant.

And yesterday things in my community just got a bit darker, frothier and sweeter, as Forty Ninth Parallel Coffee Roasters opened their newest location at the corner of 13th – wait… Thirteenth – and Main.

The Tiffin Project

The Tiffin Project

One of my favourite food-related tools is my tiffin, which I purchased a few years ago with some tasty Indian food at Granville Island. The tiffin reflects both my and Michelle’s passion for using – ahem – reusable containers when we get takeout from restaurants. Speaking of which, styrofoam is one of my least favourite things.

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