Hosting the Winter Olympics has been a mixed blessing for those of us who live in Vancouver and aren’t really ‘into’ sports. Annoying street closures, loss of parking entirely in many areas, billions of dollars spent, etc.
Somewhat amazingly, though, the creative brain has not been left abandoned ! I absolutely love the nightly ‘light show’ …… and the wacky fireballs at Robson Square. Have a look at these pictures , taken by our own longtime Southlands employee Richard Sehmer.
February 25, 2010
I Love The Nightlife
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February 12, 2010
Olympics Mania
Wow - what a difference a torch makes. Yesterday, the Olympic torch ran through Kerrisdale, where our other store ‘HOBBS’ is. It was insane. Our quiet little strip of retail became a scene from ‘The Day of The Locust’ (one of my favourite movies, ever) . Thousands of people clogged the street and then, as if by magic, vaporized. It was all so nothing, so very Peggy Lee . It was interesting to see so many people buy absolutely nothing while they were in the neighbourhood. In fact, February 2010 was the worst February our Kerrisdale store has ever had. That means 20 years of Februaries. The weather was mostly exceptionally nice….., but people seemed to either be away or fixated on the Olympics.
I did find it interesting to have concrete proof of how people can be manipulated…. to attend/buy/worship/kill………garden?
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February 7, 2010
Goodbye, Global TV
Some people might wonder where I am on the Saturday Morning News on Global BCTV. I have lost count of how many years I was on the show, but it is nearly 20.
I only had 5 minutes a week, and tried to show how easy something was to do…..from repotting an orchid to dividing peonies…I taped about 1000 segments!!!
Some of you might know that I am very concerned with Vancouver Park Board’s horrifying decision to close the spectacular Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park. I cannot let them. You must not let them. So, I arranged to meet a Global cameraman there and film a 5 minute segment inside the wonderful dome. We did film a segment, and I used my opportunity to let my ”fans” know what a wonderful treasure we might lose. I explained how they might help (donate to The Friends of the Bloedel , mailing cheques to us c/o this nursery), complain to our city council and so on. I was very calm and made a point of not naming names, trashing our park board (which was difficult), or being political in any way.
I was informed that Global would not show my piece. I wondered why….. I still wonder why. Any ideas out there ?
As it was Friday afternoon, there was no way to tape any other segment for Saturday morning, and I told them that if they did not show my Bloedel segment they need never call me again.
They did not show it.
So, my TV stint is over. I want to thank all the nice people who always stop me and tell me how much they like(d) my ‘show’. My favourites were always the most unexpected ….the bikers in Fort Langley, the seniors at Safeway, the guy fixing the road… I am glad you learned a little bit about plants and beauty from tuning in all those years.
I hope you come visit me at the nursery someday . But even more important, go visit the Bloedel conservatory and bring your friends, too !! It is by showing an increase and interest in attendance that will save the Bloedel, as all our elected enemies care about is money.
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