Archive
AHA MEDIA is pleased to introduce Rockin’ Randy, a Cree Native and Guitarist from Victoria, B.C.
In this video, while visiting his uncle in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, Rockin’ Randy, a Cree Native living in Victoria, B.C., talks about himself, his music and his life! Randy has a great welcoming personality and an engaging smile! 🙂 You can find out more about Rockin’ Randy on Facebook
This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N77 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter
AHA MEDIA is pleased to be Media Sponsors of Vic Bender – A man living in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside and his gig as a pianist on Carnival Destiny Cruise Line
AHA MEDIA is very pleased to introduce Vic Bender – a man living in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, who is preparing to go on his 6 month journey on the high seas as a Pianist for Carnival Destiny Cruise Line 🙂

Among the fabulous exotic tropical islands, Vic will be traveling to will be the Bahamas and Jamaica! 🙂

Vic Bender, is preparing a wide assortment of music including Bob Marley and Santana to play for his audiences on the cruise ship 🙂

AHA MEDIA is pleased to give Media Sponsorship to Vic Bender! We will be documenting his 6 month Cruise Ship journey and helping to build his own site at http://www.vicbender.wordpress.com
. In this way, we may all enjoy his tunes and follow him through his tropical work/vacation! 🙂
Bon Voyage Vic! 🙂 We wish we could come with you! 🙂
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. 🙂
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.



