Archive
Lunar Occultation of Venus – Early Morning Wednesday April 22, 2009
Here is a photo of a Lunar Occulation of the planet Venus this early morning Tuesday April 21, 2009. This was taken in Richmond, B.C. by Al Tkatch , one of the co-founders of AHA MEDIA.
Lunar Occultation of Venus
An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer. The word is used in astronomy to describe when an object in the foreground occults (covers up) objects in the background. A slim crescent Moon will occult Venus on the morning of April 22nd, 2009. .
Any time a bright planet and a thin crescent Moon are paired it makes a beautiful sight and worth taking a look if you are up before dawn. 🙂
Pictorial review of La Casita Mexican Restaurant in Gastown, Vancouver



Nice and quiet during this early evening 🙂 We chose our own seat by the window, and our server was a friendly guy, who was very patient as we looked over the menu. After we had ordered our two entrees, we were brought fresh homemade chips and salsa. 🙂

A welcoming atmosphere awaited a whole crowd of post-game Happy Canuck fans. We were glad we decided to dine early to avoid the big rush of hungry folks.

Here is a dining special. And considering the HUGE portion of food with a beer, $11 is a great deal!

I had a small flauta meal, made with potato and feta cheese, topped with green salsa – DELICIOUS and very filling! Very reasonably priced also

My dinner companion had a burito on its own. It came drenched in cheese! Supremely filling and tasty – he remarked! 🙂

Our bill was very reasonable, and our waiter was always very attentive throughout our dinner.

The surprising finish of our meal, was the chalkboard sign encouraging everyone to stop and have lunch tomorrow, after shopping at the Army and Navy Legendary Shoe Sale which begins at 8 A.M. – It’s nice to see the neighborly feel of our area 🙂

All in all, it was a great meal for a reasonable price on a beautiful spring evening in Vancouver’s Gastown area 🙂
101 West Cordova St.
Vancouver, BC V6B 1E1, Canada
(604) 646-2444
Army and Navy Shoe Sale Wednesday April 22, 2009
For all those eager shoe shoppers, the Annual Army and Navy Shoe sale starts at 8am, Wednesday April 22, 2009 – right on Hastings Street in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)!! 🙂

AHA MEDIA dines at Uncle Henry Cafe in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)

Having passed by Uncle Henry Cafe many times, AHA MEDIA decided to have lunch today while on our way to a few events 🙂 In speaking with the owner, we found out that it has been at its present location for over 15 years! This worthwhile rare gem of a diner is still dishing up REAL home cooked meals and taste with a smile! 🙂
Uncle Henry Cafe
547 Hastings Street East
Vancouver, BC V6A 1P9,
(604) 254-3629



Upon entering, there’s two dining rooms that one can sit in and on today’s hot sunny day, this was the first restaurant we found, that was cool in temperature – like it had already turned on its air conditioning. Very considerate to think of customer’s comfort and well being in the today’s summer-like temperatures 🙂

Reasonably priced, and serving the Vancouver DTES community well, the food comes quickly with an almost forgotten care and taste of a great home cooked meal! 🙂
The place was clean and the atmosphere was fresh inside with no cloying heavy food cooking odours – one would normally expect to feel and smell in a cafe.There is something very nostalgic to see plain brown skinned potatoes, all scrubbed clean and hand cut up into wedges for our lunch! 🙂

Reading material was provided, from National Geographic Magazines to thick hard cover books for those choosing to linger over their meals. The owner even shyly gave us a shiny Travel brochure of Vietnam, when we were done browsing our original magazines with our meals 🙂
Classic bathing suit photography and mirrors mingled with hockey memorabila adorned the walls – a Nice 50’s to 70’s touch . It made our environment peaceful and serene to be in, and added to the great enjoyment of our lunch.
It is very RARE for us as seasoned diners who have eaten from small food stands to upscale 4 star restaurants to have this attentive and good natured anticipatory care from the owner of an establishment.
Usually one would only expect to have great customer service from higher priced and higher luxury restaurant. One does gets what one pays for – Greater money = Greater Service, but here in Uncle Henry Cafe, situated on East Hastings street – there is REAL genuine warmth, attention, friendship and pure classic hospitality 🙂
AHA MEDIA was being treated one of the family and all this upon our first visit to the restaurant! 🙂

Hendrik Beune, Director of AHA MEDIA enjoys his fresh, hand cut potato wedge dipped in Mayonaise – the European way! 🙂
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Uncle Henry has it all in the DTES, service, smile, surroundings and great food. 🙂 Other places around attempt to have 1) either the ” Nouveau DINER ” food appeal but NOT the quality of meal, 2) have surly, bad tempered wait staff or 3) the atmosphere isn’t right for a pleasant dining experience. AHA MEDIA can really see why Uncle Henry has been around for over 15 years! 🙂
Wow! 🙂 This is why the Vancouver Downtown Eastside Community is rich in spirit and friendships. There can be real bonds that develop in our neighborhood and what better way to show that you’re loved, than to be served a Greal Meal for a Very Excellet price by an honest, humble and happy man?
Our full meals for 2 came to $7.50, (before tips ) less than the usual price for a small appetizer or a martini in a fancier restaurant.
If you’re in our Vancouver Downtown Eastside area, please try Uncle Henry Cafe 🙂 You’ll be treated well 🙂
AHA MEDIA is already looking forward to our next meal at Uncle Henry Cafe on East Hastings street 🙂
SHIPWRECKS CONFERENCE ’09 with The Underwater Archaeological Society of British Columbia
The Underwater Archaeological Society of British Columbia (UASBC) http://www.uasbc.com

The UASBC is a 175 member group of volunteer, avocational underwater archaeologists. We are mostly from British Columbia but also have members who live all over North America. The Society is the largest diving group in British Columbia, and one of the largest and most active heritage organizations in the province.

SHIPWRECKS CONFERENCE ’09
Welcome to the 23rd annual Shipwrecks conference, western Canada’s longest running underwater heritage event.

HMCS Discovery at Stanley Park is the home for Shipwrecks 2009
Conference date: Saturday, April 18,2009
Day session begins at 9 AM
Woodward lecture and dinner begins at 6:30 PM


Military Wrecks is this year’s theme and we have an impressive line-up of speakers including:
Marc-Andre Bernier, Parks Canada: Analyzing Naval Strategy thru Shipwrecks
Marc-Andre Bernier, Parks Canada: The Elizabeth and Mary, 1690, Quebec City
Peter Fox: Military Shipwrecks at Truk Lagoon
Mark Atherton: Types of Sonar Tools for Military Shipwreck Searches
Jacques Marc: Military Shipwrecks in British Columbia
Rob Rondeau: World War II Shipwrecks of Bell Island
Curt McNamee: Deep Water Military Shipwrecks
Woodward Lecture speaker
The Woodward lecture is at the evening dinner.


Dr Fred Hocker, Vasa Museum, Stockholm.

The VASA project caught the world’s attention when she was raised from the mud of Stockholm’s harbour in April 1961. This was the first the world had seen of the ship for more than 333 years since she capsized and sank on her maiden voyage. The ship contains a wealth of objects reflecting Swedish maritime life of the early 1600s. As a conservation project, the VASA project set new standards for restoration as the entire ship and its contents were conserved.



