ACROSS THE CITY
The 10th annual 麻豆传媒映画Heritage Foundation's Heritage House Tour takes place this Sunday, June 3. I mentioned this event in a previous column, but at the time didn't have any details about the homes included in this year's self-guided tour. From what I've since learned, tour participants will have the opportunity for sneak peaks inside a historic church converted into strata units, the Le Marche St. George storefront restoration with funky apartment units, Strathcona homes including a heritage restoration with a radical modern addition and beautiful historic hand-painted wall stenciling, a historic bank building restoration with modern infill behind, Shaughnessy and Kerrisdale mansions and what's known as the "Music House," a family's craftsman restoration. Your ticket is a 28-page guidebook with a map in the centre showing where the homes are located, a fullpage write-up about each house, lunch suggestions and guest essays by local authors.
Visit any or all of the participating homes on tour day between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in any order you prefer. Your guidebook is a numbered passport, which will gain you access into the homes. Besides the opportunity to check out how other people live, the tour demonstrates how historic spaces and materials can be made relevant and functional for 21st-century families. Get ideas for trades, resources, suppliers and wall colours from real projects undertaken by everyday Vancouverites. For more information and tickets, visit vancouverheritagefoundation.org.
COAL HARBOUR
The Odd Squad Production Society is celebrates its 15th anniversary with a fundraising gala Thursday, June 7. The society is an independent, non-profit organization founded by volunteer members of the 麻豆传媒映画Police Department in 1997 to reach youth through educational presentations, peer-mentoring workshops and awardwinning documentaries, such as Through a Blue Lens, a film about life on the streets. The OSP also travels to schools and community centres in Vancouver, across the Lower Mainland and B.C. and into the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Odd Squad Gala Fundraiser takes place at the 麻豆传媒映画Trade and Convention Centre June 7 starting at 5 p.m. For more information and tickets, go to gala2012@ oddsquad.com.
DOWNTOWN
A screening of the documentary Miss Representation takes place Wednesday, June 6, at the Scotiabank Theatre, 900 Burrard St. at 5 p.m. The film, an official 2011 Sundance selection, questions why so few women hold positions of influence and power, as well as how the media we consume changes our lives and affects how society values women. A cocktail party follows the screening with proceeds donated to Big Sisters of B.C. and the Lower Mainland, and Dress for Success Vancouver. For more information and tickets, go to missrepresentation.org.
MOUNT PLEASANT
They call it Mount Pleasant "Days," but after a lengthy online search I could only find events happening Saturday, June 2. But for what it's worth, Mount Pleasant elementary school, located on East Eighth Avenue at Guelph, celebrates Mount Pleasant Days June 2 with music, sports and fundraising. The 麻豆传媒映画Society for the Promotion of Outdoor Pools will be in attendance and I'm sure recruiting volunteers to run a booth for two-to-four hour shifts during Car Free Day in Mount Pleasant June 17. The society will provide information on the Mount Pleasant Park master plan during Car Free Day. Contact the society at vancouveroutdoorpools.org.
Twitter: @sthomas10
