Archive
AHA MEDIA at Canadian Tire Hockey School Skills Camp with former Canucks Dave Babych and Garry Valk at Rogers Arena in Vancouver
On Sunday Feb 13, 2011 at Rogers Arena, young hockey players from Vancouver will learn skills straight from NHL Alumni – former Canucks Garry Valk and Dave Babych – as part of the Canadian Tire Hockey School Skills Camp. The Vancouver camp is one of a series of one-day training sessions taking place across Canada, designed in partnership with the NHL. The camps are presented by Canadian Tire Hockey School, a free online resource that provides kids, parents, coaches and fans with information about equipment, skills and training from the experts.
Canadian Tire Hockey School
Backgrounder
Canadian Tire, the NHL and Stanley Cup® Winner Jonathan Toews are proud to announce another Canadian hockey first, the Canadian Tire Hockey School, in partnership with the NHL. As Canada’s largest retailer of sporting equipment and a brand steeped in Canadian history, Canadian Tire is who Canadians trust for their first pair of skates, stick, helmet and pads. Over the past 90 years, Canadian Tire has equipped millions of first-time hockey players from head to toe.
Canadian Tire Hockey School – Canadiantirehockeyschool.ca
- In partnership with the NHL, Canadian Tire Hockey School (CTHS) will be the trusted resource for Canadian hockey players, parents, coaches and hockey fans.
- CTHS will deliver a full range of tips, drills, training and equipment advice that will help develop young players as they progress through their hockey career. For example:
o How to lace your skates/tape your stick
o Gear-fitting guide
o Hockey costs, expenses, nutrition
o Coaching and Leadership
o Skating tips, tricks and techniques from NHL experts
- Jonathan Toews, Stanley Cup® Champion and team captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, has joined Canadian Tire’s all-star team, as the founding member and official spokesperson of the CTHS. Jonathan will provide ongoing content based on his professional and minor hockey participation.
- Whether it’s to play on a backyard rink or advance in their local house league, CTHS offers practical insights into how to mentor, parent and become a well-rounded player.
- Through exclusive access to e-newsletters, articles and videos, CTHS will offer members fun and helpful content:
o Kids – Provide the training and information they need to build confidence and a lifelong enjoyment of the game
o Parents – Provide the knowledge, tools and confidence to be the role model for their children as they develop as hockey players
o Coaches – Provide a guide to developing young hockey players, including skills, drills, equipment, health and fitness information
o Fans – Provide a one-stop shop to support their hockey rituals, delivering relevant hockey content, tickets and promotions, and their favourite gear and merchandise
Further developing a grassroots connection in Canadian communities, Canadian Tire will launch the Canadian Tire Hockey School NHL Skills Camps. These unique Camps will provide lucky minor hockey players the opportunity to develop and grow their skills through on and off ice skill development sessions led by experienced NHL hockey experts, with appearances by NHL alumni and coaches. The first of six Canadian Tire Hockey School NHL Skills Camps during the 2010-2011 season will take place in Winnipeg, MB on September 21, 2010. Details for how to win the chance for your child to be a part of one of these exciting Camps will be available through http://www.canadiantirehockeyschool.ca in late August.
Kids, Parents, Coaches and Fans can sign up for Canadian Tire Hockey School by visiting CanadianTireHockeySchool.ca
Below are photos of Peter Davies of AHA MEDIA
AHA MEDIA at Year of the Rabbit – 2011 Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown, Vancouver
AHA MEDIA at Year of the Rabbit – 2011 Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown, Vancouver
Happy New Year!
Below is a photo of Hedy Fry
Below are photos of Mayor Gregor Robertson of Vancouver
Below is a photo of Vancouver City Councillor Kerry Jang
AHA MEDIA at “Honouring Our Women” Poetry Night at Carnegie Centre – Part of 20th Annual Women’s Memorial March Commemoration Events in Vancouver
Sat Feb 5 – “Honouring Our Women”: Poetry Night, Carnegie Centre (Main and Hastings). 7 pm. Free admission, everyone welcome, free refreshments Sheila Baxter, Dalannah Bowen, Maxine Gadd, Leith Harris, Muriel Marjorie, Shauna Paull, Priscillia Tait, Karenza Wall, M.C. Diane Wood and open mic. Part of 20th Annual Women’s Memorial March Commemoration Events in Vancouver
Celebrate 2011 at W2 LIGHTS NYE in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)
As a largely volunteer-run Downtown Eastside (DTES) organization, we want to bring more benefits from what has become Vancouver’s hottest NYE ticket. We have decided to release these remaining tickets today, rather than making them available at the door which would cause uncertainty and lineups. No tickets will be available at the door. We want to maximize the benefits from the overwhelming demand for tickets, and hereby assist DTES charitable work at the same time.
- We are releasing these tickets online at 4:00pm PST on Dec 23rd at http://w2lights.eventbrite.com/ and for a minimum $100 payment, one ticket will be made available to the purchaser and one to a DTES residents who faces economic barriers to attending. With this plan we help more people and bring a broader cross-section of people to celebrate bringing back the light with W2 LIGHTS NYE. Proceeds from this sale will also directly support four grassroots DTES organizations working for positive change by and for DTES residents. Making these tickets available to interested people will make a real and direct impact on community organizing in the DTES.
W2 LIGHTS NYE is an unprecedented collaboration between Vancouver’s underground music communities in one large public space at W2 Storyeum, bringing back the light, and welcoming the new year. Five rooms filled with music, video, interactive media art installations, and performance. Plus participants will enjoy complimentary hors d’ouevres from W2 Cafe, a silent auction of cool gifts and artworks, a secure coat check, fresh air conditioners, and special refreshments, with their new and old friends! Conveniently located near Vancouver’s transportation hub (Seabus, Skytrains, numerous bus routes), car parking upstairs for designated drivers, all in the heART of the city.
This event is a special fundraising initiative to help W2 build an inner-city media centre for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside – across the street – within the Woodward’s heritage building scheduled. Take a moment and see what we’re working on:
http://www.creativetechnology.org/
5 Rooms!! Are you ready Vancity?! First time ever!
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An unprecedented collaboration between Vancouver’s underground music communities in one massive public space at W2 Storyeum, bringing back the light, and welcoming the new year!
W2 in association with;
Beats Without Borders
Integrated Grime Unit
Bass Coast Project
The Funk Hunters
Wet Mi Down
Low Indigo
Perception
SHAHdjs
Lighta!
Ting!
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Reggae / Dancehall /Funk / Dubstep / Drum and Bass / Glitch-Hop / Downtempo / Midtempo
The Lineup:
Agent Muldah
Basketball
Bevvy Swift
Calamalka
Daega Sound
Dewey Decibel
DJ Cure
Eradik
Holistic
Johnny Dubs
Lady Vishus
Librarian
Mandai
Max Ulis
Mista Chanta
Myles Away
Nils
Nog
Selecta Brown
Self Evident
Souns
Sweet Anomaly
Taal Mala
Tank Gyal
Tarron
That African
The Funk Hunters
Tusk
XI
Stay tuned for downloads, ticket release updates, and more additions to the lineup.
AHA MEDIA will be onsite doing livestreaming during W2 Lights NYE. See our livestream channel at http://www.qik.com/AHAMEDIA starting from 7pm onwards Friday Dec 31. 2010
Looking forward to seeing you NYE 2011!
AHA MEDIA at “Vancouver Street Soccer League vs City Hall” Soccer Tournament in Vancouver
The Vancouver Street Soccer League Takes on City Hall
In a series of classic confrontations, Vancouver Street Soccer League (www.vancouverstreetsoccer.com) teams tested their skills not only against each other, but also against a City of Vancouver team lead by Mayor Gregor Robertson on Saturday, December 4 at Memorial South Park.
Many people contributed to the organization of the tournament and even Mother Nature chipped in by giving us a beautiful sunny day. Malcolm Bromley and the Park Board had an amazing new turf field for us to Christen with some soccer magic. Continuing their strong support of Street Soccer, the Portland Hotel Society provided tents, heaters, food and other pieces of the puzzle through our great PHS-based volunteers, including Kailin See and Sarah Blyth who had lead organizational roles. Snacks and drinks were generously provided by the Vancouver Food Bank. Andrea Reimer, Sarah Blyth, and Amy and Gregor Robertson recruited a strong team for the City. Ex-Vancouver Dream Catcher turned AHA Media reporter Peter Davies and Vancouver International Soccer Festival President Adri Hamael were quick to answer the call and then make all the right ones as referees. We also felt the love of Street Soccer friends across the country as everyone received a Street Soccer Canada toque from Paul Gregory and Wendy Perkins at SSC headquarters in Ontario. The live music by Good for Grapes completed the atmosphere, and Kurt Heinrich ensured the event got the attention of the city by once again attracting prominent media coverage (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080124/BC_Vid_Newscast_080124/20091203?hub=BritishColumbiaHome ; pick the broadcast from Dec. 4 and advance to the 7-minute mark). As usual, the comprehensive account was also recorded by April Smith at AHA Media.
As hosts of the tournament, Portland FC (www.portlandfc.ca) setup camp on Field 1 for the duration. Team Canada veterans and new recruits alike made sure that points weren’t easily gained by the competition. Randy showed moments of goaltending brilliance reminiscent of his all-star performance against Mexico at the Homeless World Cup, while Hector, Rik, Frank, Sid, Peter and Patrick put on a passing display that was tastier than Prime Time Chicken.
Like the Montreal Canadiens of Vancouver Street Soccer, the Eastside Sun Eagles brought their proven formula of intensity and reliable play to the tournament. Playing coach Lotfi and Team Canada penalty-shot expert Robert lead usual suspects Virgil, Hudson, Saul, Carlos, Bryan, and Shamaly in a relentless attack that gave Mayor Robertson a loss to revisit in his mind through slow moments in Council Chambers over the coming months. Keeper Hector was stingier than Ebenezer Scrooge, allowing only a single goal the whole tournament.
Since steamrolling the competition in their Street Soccer debut in the February, 2010 Going For Gold tournament, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre has consistently raised the bar of competition for the other VSSL teams. Saturday was no exception as Mel, Shane, Dennis, Quoc, Jerry, Jake, Aaron, Joseph, Conrad, Dude, Ted, Enrique, and playing coach Brian rolled shift after skill-laden shift in a system that Alain Vigneault would have been proud of. With small nets making goals hard to come by, Brian and Enrique impressed by each rippling the mesh and then providing an encore.
Like a series of election night nail biters, the City team, bolstered by VSSL volunteers, squeaked out a collection of close victories, but couldn’t beat the eventual tournament champions. The one – nil win over Portland FC must have been sweet redemption for the now legendary 6-5 Portland FC triumph over the Mayor and City Council 11-aside in the teams’ only previous meeting. Street Soccer fans everywhere are already debating the likely outcome of a balance-tipping third game. Mayor Robertson delighted the populace with game-winning goal. Not to be outdone, and possibly a signal that he intends to run for office himself, Diego lead the way with three match-deciding markers. Chris, Zoran, Kurt, Barry, Adrian, Ron, and Andy provided a supporting cast with more style than City Hall’s art deco relief.
By all accounts, the favourites of the tournament were Portland FC Phoenix. Not intimidated by the greatest collection of Street Soccer talent ever accumulated in Vancouver, the VSSL’s first all women’s team stepped up and rolled out an inspired brand of football. In one close game after another, Phoenix averaged less than two goals against per game. A slim one to nothing scoreline was all that separated Phoenix from the Mayor’s team and their male Portland FC counterparts could also only manage one tally against them. Keeper and City Councilor Andrea Reimer served early and frequent notice that unwanted guests weren’t welcome in her goal crease. Amy and Carla showed the poise of experienced veterans, while Sarah, Kailin, and Heather proved quick studies from their time practicing with Portland FC. Christa (“iano Ronaldo”) revealed step-over moves that will be dancing in the heads of more than a couple defensemen this holiday season. Meanwhile, Paula had something to teach Ryan Kesler about being an effective two-way player by establishing a formidable presence at both ends of the field. Kayla, Claire, Tracy, Tanya and the rest of the team must have been fired up by Lauren’s surprisingly effective battle cry as they brought the fight to the guys match after match.
In the end, there could only be one winner and on this day, the North Shore Shields would not be denied. The mountain men from the other side of the water went undefeated through all five games. Only the Sun Eagles managed to avoid a loss to the Shields by clinging to a zero – zero draw. A true sign of a dynasty team is even scoring throughout the roster, and with Steve, Trevor, James, Fred, Ramin, and Alex all putting up numbers in the goal column, the Shields could be the team to beat for the foreseeable future. However, the 2-1 victory over Portland FC must have been bittersweet for Steve, Trevor, and James who were on loan from the home side. Only time will tell if a return of their services will brighten Portland FC’s fortune in the next tournament. Masoud, Mori and Nathan were solid when called upon and coach Dave did his best Sir Alex Ferguson impression to guide his team through five impressive results.
The next VSSL action takes place January 8, 2011 in North Vancouver as the North Shore Shields and the VSSL host the Kelowna Kodiaks. Will the newcomers from the Okanagan be easy pickings or craftier than the Ogopogo? Stay tuned.
Alan Bates
President, Vancouver Street Soccer League
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