DOXA Film festival

From May 6th-15th DOXA Film Festival runs in Vancouver. Festival line-up includes an eclectic mix of locally produced, as well as international films.

New Westminster "Hot Shots" Photo Contest

The city of New Westminster sponsored a small photo contest encouraging residents to submit photos displaying different aspects of city life. Part of the downtown revitalization strategy, the contest is aimed at engaging citizens in their community.

We being the keeners that we are, sumitted photos in each of the four categories. Interested in voting, check out the website at New West City.

In season.

Farmer's Market season kick off today, May 17th, with the opening of the East Vancouver Market at Trout Lake Community Centre. One of four weekly markets in the city, today's opening marks a return to (hopefully) good times and even better weather. With yesterday's almost 30 degree weather, the timing couldn't be better for fresher and lighter meals and tastes.

I myself got my balcony garden going yesterday. One cherry tomato plant, a few lettuce plants and a hand full of different herbs. We'll see how things pan out, but regardless, it is definitely exciting. Looking forward to some extremely locally grown produce in the coming weeks!

Available at the market this month according to eatlocal.orgare asparagus, mustard greens, kale, walnuts and many other fresh treats. Don't spend too much!

Haute couture.

An interesting bit of art. The patience needed! I can't even begin to imagine. Check out some other great photos of the exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum on the artist's wesite. The Eye of the Artist: The Work of Devorah Sperber

haveliwalla home cooking

Two good friends of mine create a great blog called haveliwalla home cookingdedicated to good food. Each day they create one or two great dishes and document it all for everyone to share in the beauty that is everyday cooking.

Having recently moved to Canada from Korea, she brings a unique perspective and creativity that she puts into her art and cooking. Many of her dishes combine French or Italian ingredients with Asian seasonings or vice versa.

In addition to being a talented chef, she also is an artist and art teacher, giving private and semi-private lessons to both adults and children. Goes a long way to explaining their knack with the camera. The only catch is the blog is in her native Korean. As is the case with all good food, it doesn't matter what language or culture it comes from. You'll understand it.

Interesting observation

While out the other night I came to an interesting (or at least I thought it) conclusion. In men's washrooms there are generally urinals and stalls. Using the urinals is obviously common place and they are out in the open with little to no privacy. This is normal. Strangely enough though, when a man uses the stall to pee and doesn't shut the door, it somehow seems as if you are intruding on him is the door is open. Really, this chap is afforded more privacy then anyone, yet it seems that he is the most exposed. Bizarre.

La chinoise - Pacific Cinématheque

Friday evening I attended the Pacific Cinématheque, an "art house" theatre in Vancouver showing foreign and or more offbeat films. Friday's films were two French films by Jean-Luc Godard.

I've seen a few of his films before and enjoyed all of them. "La chinoise" was no different. Very interesting and bizarre editing techniques, great colours in the sets and a funny story-line. The editing in particular was a treat as Godard used stills, shots of them actually filming the movie in the movie and other unique features.

In addition to the films being great, the theatre and experience itself was cool. The movie started RIGHT AWAY. I mean no trailers, promos or anything else. Lights dim and the movie is on before darkness is achieved. Great. I will definitely be attending other films there.

Bike the Blossoms

This Saturday April 19th, 2008 is the first annual Bike the Blossoms event, sponsored by Slow Food Vancouver. The event is being held in and around Vancouver and is aimed at celebrating the beauty of cherry blossoms, as well as taking the time out to enjoy some great locally produced and sourced products.

Slow Food is the international organization (and movement) centered around a return to healthy, locally produced and diverse food. The organization emphasizes taking the time to experience and taste different regional products, as opposed to relying on a diet of fast and mass-produced foods.

So far, there have been approximately 1,500 people that have registered for the event, it should be a great ride ... if the weather holds up! For more information check out Bike the Blossoms