JULY 9
I'm a huge fan of book exchanges so was happy to hear about a new project funded through the city's Neighbourhood Small Grants program and Vancouver Foundation.
A group of Grandview Woodland neighbours, including Eileen Mosca, have created a book exchange box being installed at the corner of Lakewood and Charles streets this Saturday. Mosca says the idea is summed up by the quote painted on the box's door frame that reads, "Got a book that you don't need? Leave it here for others to read. Consider it a neighbourly deed." Anyone is free to take or leave a book at any time. She notes the project received support from the city's Green Streets program and engineering department.
A grand opening and official ribbon cutting takes place July 9 at 1 p.m.
JULY 9
In 1887 hotel owner Simon Hirschberg took his own life, and for a long while was thought to be buried in Mountainview Cemetery near the intersection of East 33rd Avenue and Fraser Street. But was he?
Find out Hirschberg's fate and more tantalizing tidbits during Discover Day at Mountainview, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about the city's first burials, see historic photos and discover where the old streams were. Walking tours are being conducted by civic historian John Atkin at 10:15 a.m.; Lorraine Irving with the B.C. Genealogical Society at 10:45 a.m.; social and cultural researcher Maurice Guibord at 11:15 a.m., Chris Mathieson, executive director of the Vancouver Police Museum at 11:45 a.m. and join a cycling tour of the cemetery's 106 acres at 12:15 p.m.
JULY 14
What do comedians Jackie Mason, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Myron Cohen have in common?
Well according to the Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver, they're all old Jews telling jokes. (Their words.)
The alliance is hosting a fundraising event July 14 at the Beth Israel Synagogue, 4350 Oak St. beginning at 6:30 p.m. that includes a free deli dinner. Video clips of some of the great Jewish comedians will be shown, while some of the city's best and worst Jewish storytellers will attempt to entertain the crowd. The masters of ceremony are Alvin Wasserman and Michael Geller. I can hear Geller now: "A developer walks into a board of variance meeting..." I'm cracking up just thinking about it. Adults of all ages welcome. RSVP to office@jsalliance.org or at 604-732-1555.
JULY 21
Joshua McVeity's Hotel Room photography display will be on display at Opus Hotel July 21.
McVeity uses the hotel room as a stage, placing the viewer in the position of voyeur. McVeity used models to play out fantasies and show obsessions, which depict private moments caught on film. In some pieces the models simply allow you to watch while others demand more from the viewer. Following the opening night reception McVeity's works will be displayed in various rooms of Opus Hotel during the North American OutGames and Vancouver Pride Week later this month. The exhibit opening takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at Opus Hotel, 322 Davie St.
sthomas@vancourier.com
Twitter @sthomas10
