With most video stores moving the way of the silent film, The Artist excluded, it's nice to see that Black Dog Video on Cambie Street is not only open for business, but also celebrating its 16th anniversary.
(I don't make a habit of mentioning every store celebrating an anniversary in this column, but for Black Dog I'll make an exception.) Between now and March 15, any customers with late charges will be forgiven, so long as they bring a non-perishable donation to the Greater Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Food Bank. As with ongoing Courier food bank efforts, Black Dog is asking donors not to drop off "expired clams, anteater snouts or devilled anal tissue." During one food bank drive here at the Courier, someone dropped off a rubber door jam wrapped to look like food in exchange for movie tickets, so I know where these guys are coming from.
As well, with any rental of the store's "old title comedies," you get a second free of charge-and the satisfaction of knowing you're supporting a small independent business.
Downtown
The Social Enterprise Day of Learning includes workshops organized to share information and ideas from enterprising non-profit groups and advisers. The events run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 8 at both the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Public Library and SFU Woodwards.
Contact Kim at 604-871-5421 for more information.
UBC
UBC Botanical Garden is hosting a pruning course March 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The course takes place at the garden's reception centre, 6804 SW Marine Dr.
The course includes a blend of classroom and field discussions with hands-on learning of the basics of pruning, including safety, tools and their maintenance, reasons for pruning, methods and timing of pruning, and more. Advance registration is required as class size is limited to 35. Call 604-690-5375 or email [email protected]. If you wish to register in person drop by the garden's gatehouse.
Renfrew-Collingwood
Seed Swap takes place at the Renfrew Park Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Ave., March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop in and check out open-pollinated, untreated seeds that are grown without herbicides or pesticides.
Stanley Park
Join geologist/biologist David Cook for an easy walk along the Stanley Park seawall while he explains how 50 to 70-million-year-old rivers laid down sand, silt, clay and minor coal in the area over a period that included the last years of the dinosaurs.
The present-day hydrology of the park will also be explained. Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution and quality of water on Earth and other planets. Meet in the parking lot behind the Third Beach concession stand in Stanley Park March 11. The walk is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is suggested as space is limited. Email [email protected].
Douglas Park
The Douglas Park Community Centre is hosting an earthquake preparedness workshop March 15 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Earthquake Preparedness-Be Prepared Not Scared is a free workshop organized to teach individuals and families how to develop an emergency plan, how to perform a home hazard hunt and how to prepare your pets.
Anyone with upcoming, community-based St. Patrick's Day events should drop me a line as soon as possible.
Twitter: @sthomas10
