www.vancouver21.com

Was the BC Premier Christy Clark (together with her fellow Liberals Suzanne Anton, Amrik Tung, Kuljeet Kaur, Gurjit Dhillon, Moira Stilwell etc.) out campaigning to get ethnic votes or just taking part in the celebration of Vaisakhi Day one month before BC Election 2013 in Vancouver’s South Asian community of Main & 50th Ave?

Such was a question posed to the premier by a CBC reporter citing a similar accusation from NDP leader Adrian Dix whose political team was also at the event on April 13, 2013. Clark in particular mentioned the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) show that her government spent $11million to bring to Vancouver a week earlier. The BC general election is scheduled to take place on May 14, 2013, one month before BC Election 201. Christy Clark was behind Adrian Dix in every poll taken in recent weeks.

This Vancouver South area is a major center for the South Asian community. In 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper also stopped by and stood on the same podium and gave a Vaisakhi blessing as Christy Clark did. Both of them were running for re-election. An estimated 100,000 people showed up at Vaisakhi Vancouver 2013 which had the oldest Vaisakhi parade in North America.

Vaisakhi or Baisakhi as it is also known celebrates the start of the harvesting season for Punjabi farmers. This historical event which dated back to 1699 also marked the origin of Khalsa the Sikh religion.

[Photos & video by Ray Van Eng]

Ray Van Eng is an award-winning Photographer/Videographer, Screenwriter and Movie & TV Producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Manhattan, New York, NY. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

Main St. & 50th Ave. Vancouver BC

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On March 19, 2013, the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Earth Hour City Challenge awarded the City of Vancouver as the Global Champion and the recipient of the People’s Choice Award. Five other cities in India, Italy, the U.S., Sweden, and Norway chosen from 66 city entrants were in competition with Vancouver as the most innovative city taking action on climate change. In the end Vancouver prevailed as the winner.

The people of Vancouver joined millions others in Canada and many more around the world in participation of the global Earth Hour on Mar 23, 2013 by turning off building lights resulting in an impressive 22% reduction in energy consumption at City Hall as measured by Pulse Energy.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a statement, “Being named the WWF’s Global Earth Hour Capital is an exceptional honor for Vancouver and more international validation of our comprehensive efforts to be the world’s greenest city.”

The mayor spearheaded an effort to drive the city of Vancouver to become the World’s Greenest City by 2020 by implementing many sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives such as the 2040 Transportation strategy to “dramatically reduce vehicle travel in Vancouver” said Mr. Robertson.

Video was shot during Hour Earth 2011 at the lighted fountain of the Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. The Bloedel Conservatory lights inside the dome where tropical plants resided in a greenhouse were turned off as scheduled but the outdoor fountain lights and jet-streams remained on. [A video by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]

Ray Van Eng is an award-winning Photographer/Videographer, Screenwriter and Movie & TV Producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Manhattan, New York, NY. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

Bloedel Conservatory, 4600 Cambie St. Vancouver BC

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Relighting 2010 Olympic Cauldron at New Year’s Eve Countdown adds significance to World’s Greenest City by 2020?


Thank You Very Much Mayor Gregor Robertson & Your City Council!

I am happy to report that the Vancouver City Council has unanimously approved a motion to re-start the New Year’s Eve tradition that has been out of fashion in Vancouver in recent years. The earliest we could be seeing that happening is at the end of 2013, in time for the NYE 2014 party.

At the beginning of 2013, I wrote an open letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson and post it on his Facebook site and elsewhere asking for exactly that – A New Year’s Eve party in Vancouver. If my letter has something to do with this latest City of Vancouver decision to have a NYE Party in 2014, let me express my gratitude to the Mayor, City Council and others who may be involved. Much appreciated.

A New Year’s Eve (NYE) bash is an international event that everyone celebrates.

All cultures. All religions. All parts in the world. Americas, Asia, Europe, Arab, Oceania. Don’t matter who you are, where you, what you are, we all celebrate the beginning of a new year. NYE is also the best time for any city to stake a claim in the world media…FOR FREE!

On NYE, Every City is Vying for Attention

Make no mistake about it, every city is trying to grab your attention at NYE countdown. This worldwide attention is dictated by the different time zones. With the ticking of the clock, any major or even city in a certain time zone gets a fair chance to be featured in the world media as they ring in a new year.

This is not just about celebrating locally or even nationally. It is about taking part in an international event that everyone is focusing on. It is that Olympic moment that comes every year. Every city puts on an elaborate show to stand out against the rest.

If Vancouver won’t do it, Seattle would reap the benefits of being the crown-jewel of the Pacific NW.

Vancouver wants to become the World’s Greenest City by 2020

That is Mayor Gregor Robertsobn’s vision. Here’s an excellent way to sell that to the world on NYE. How? By relighting the 2010 Olympic Cauldron only at the end of the countdown and turn it off soon after the fireworks are finished to serve notice to the world that we are serious about reducing carbon emission and adhering to sustainable principles.

Jack Poole Plaza is Perfect Place for NYE Celebration

The Christmas Tree is there, so is the 2010 Olympic Cauldron. Robson St. & Granville Mall have none of that. Jack Poole Plaza is the perfect place to present to the world our unique heritage as a world-class city that has already hosted the 2010 Games and Expo 86.

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1…Olympic Cauldron is Re-lit! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Imagine that! What a glorious moment! Instead of a ball-drop, Vancouver should re-lit the 2010 Olympic Cauldron and the flame only comes on at the end of the count-down. And turn it off after the firework is finished. The worldwide media will pick up on that and present Vancouver’s commitment to sustainable principles and be the World’s Greenest City by 2020.

It cost $5,000 to re-lit the Cauldron but $Millions for a 30″ global TV ad

A single 30-second SuperBowl TV ad cost around $4 million. The same TV ad during the 2012 Summer Games is $20 Million (yes, for only 30 second). Re-lighting the 2010 Olympic cauldron would only be $5,000. If the world media picks that up, it is ALL FREE!

The return on investment (ROI) is clearly in favor for Vancouver to host a New Year’s Eve party. The Jack Poole Plaza with a spectacular waterfront view and where the 2010 Olympic cauldron is located provides the perfect setting to serve notice to the world as the city races towards its goal of becoming the World’s Greenest City by 2020.

Ray Van Eng is an award-winning Photographer/Videographer, Screenwriter and Movie & TV Producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Manhattan, New York, NY. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

Jack Poole Plaza, Canada Place, Vancouver BC

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After an elaborate military ceremony on Remembrance Day 2012 (Nov 11, 2012) in Vancouver BC, which was not unlike such formalities in past years, a long line of soldiers stepped along downtown Hastings Street as if they were on a Farewell March. This year’s parade which seemed to be the largest-ever assembled of the Canadian regiment, veterans, RCMP, cadets, police, the Red Cross and others, begged the question – Is Canada becoming more militant? Or are we just more patriotic than ever before? Or maybe both?

The crowd cheered loudly and applause enthusiastically as the procession passed by. Are we becoming more like the Americans who are quite ready to have their loved ones sent oversea to fight a war thousands of miles away, especially during times of a threat to their security like after the 911 incident? Is Canada facing the same fate? If yes, are we ready to do the same as the Americans?

Speaking of security, the threat of terrorism that plagued many parts of the world hit home a few days ago when packages of explosive material were discovered at Vancouver’s Skytrain transportation system. Police are still investigating and don’t know if this was a prank or something much more sinister. But the alarm bell has been sounded.

These latest incidents of a bomb scare may just be a wakeup call for Canadians including those in BC which can normally live their lives in peace without much worry of bombers lurking among us. Are we just realizing that we are no longer immune to the concerns for national security and terrorist attacks that have plagued much of the world?

To counter-balance things a little, at the end of the soldiers parade, a few lone individuals including two military personnel with their medals all decked out and some young men in civilian clothes carried a sign that read ‘Let Peace be Their Memorial’. There are no shortage of supporters for this group as well, as the on-lookers cheered and clapped their hands just as boisterously as they did for the men and women in uniform who strolled by just a while before. Are Canadians motivated now but still in conflict within ourselves about sending troops to fight an enemy abroad?

Earlier in the day, a Changing of the Guard ritual took place at the Cenotaph and the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Band and others played ‘Maple Leaf Forever’, ‘In Flanders Fields’, a bag-pipe performance of ‘The Lament’, ‘God Saves The Queen’ and other tribute music to pay respect to those who gave their lives in the service of Canada during World War Two (WWII), the Iraq War and most recently the Afghan War. A military aircraft fly-pass was also part of the Remembrance Day or Poppy Day programming this year.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2012 SOLDIERS PARADE [A Video by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]

Ray Van Eng is an award-winning photographer, screenwriter, journalist, Internet publisher and movie/video producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

Victory Square, Vancouver BC, Canada

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Ali Milner, a Cover Me Canada Finalist, performed a Neil Young cover ‘After the Gold Rush’ at the Canada Fest 2012 on Aug 04, 2012. Canada Fest 2012 at Canada Place in Vancouver was a showcase community event to highlight Canadian culture and a celebration to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Milner played the piano and sang solo throughout the entire set as she sang songs that she wrote herself such as I Wanna Be Loved By You and covers like Whose ‘Bed Have Your Boots Been Under’ by Shania Twain and Neil Young’s ‘After the Gold Rush’.

Judging from the singer/songwriters whose work that Milner often covers which include Alannah Myles (Black Velvet), Avril Lavigne (Complicated), Jann Arden (Insensitive), Joni Mitchell (Both Sides Now), Paul Anka (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) etc., you do get an idea where she comes from musically.

Soft rocky, bluesy, soulful and very Canadian. Enjoy!

VIDEO – Ali Milner – ‘After the Gold Rush’

VIDEO – Ali Milner –‘I Wanna be Loved by You’

800 Canada Place Vancouver BC

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It is time for Pride Parade 2012, an annual event that the gay and lesbian or LGBTTQ community are most proud of and shared by many Vancouverites as well. It is expected some 600,000 people in the city will come to celebrate not only equality in sexual orientation without prejudice and with pride, but the welcoming of a diverse society of people from different cultures, religious and cultural backgrounds. Pride Parade 2012 on Aug 05, 2012 along Robson and Denman Street in Vancouver’s West End was once again the largest pride parade of its kind in western Canada.

Vancouver – GAY & the CITY!!! Happy Pride, everyone!

A Video by Ray Van Eng – Vancouver 2012 Pride Parade (Pt# 1)


[WARNING: P# 1 video contains some nudity and adult situations. Viewer discretion is advised.]


A Video by Ray Van Eng – Vancouver 2012 Pride Parade (Pt# 2)

Robsob & Thurlow Street, Vancouver BC

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At a networking reception held at the Shaw Tower in downtown Vancouver just one week before her trip to China and India, B.C. Premier Christy Clark addressed the crowd who gathered at the by-invitation only function on Oct 27, 2011 that the provincial government is focusing on Asia and aims to spur more trade opportunities in the Asia Pacific area and create more jobs for British Columbia.

The Premier described Vancouver as an Asian city outside of Asia and that struck an approving note among the crowd of about 50 top business leaders eager to do business in Asia. That is not surprising at all, noting that Chinese, South Asians, East Asians and South-east Asians make up more than half of the population of the city of Vancouver.

Premier Clark’s address last night reflects the same sentiment that the new Federal Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Edward Fast has expressed a few weeks ago just before he and a Canadian delegation left to visit China on a trade mission.

Asia is where you need to be in global trade and future growth.

And in Asia, business moves at lightning speed. Curtis Mearns of ExoTurbine who is going to Asia with the Premier in the upcoming November trip learned that quickly first-hand. Mearns actually found a potential partner from Guangdong, China interested in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with his green renewable energy company right on the 17th floor of the Shaw Tower shortly after Premier Clark’s pep talk.

Vancouver, Gateway to the Asia Pacific. View from the 17th floor of The Shaw Tower where Premier Clark spoke last night.

The Shaw Tower – 1077 Cordova Street, Vancouver BC

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On October 24, 2011, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson’s party had what was dubbed as the Vision Vancouver Time Raiser, a free event for members of the party to gather together at the Waldorf Hotel where a silent auction was being held. Volunteers bid their time with Vision Vancouver for items donated by the Vancouver’s art and culture community such as dance lessons, paintings, screen-printing workshop etc.






































Waldorf Hotel , 1489 East Hastings, Vancouver BC

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The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe travelled to western Canada to perform at The Centre as part of the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Festival 2011 (Oct. 21-23, 2011). More than 30 dancers took part in presenting a variety of ballet acts including Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Don Quixote by Marius Petipa etc. Most notably, the last act of the evening was Shanbo Liang and Tingtai Zhu (The Butterfly Lovers). It is a very famous southern China folk lore. A Romeo and Juliet story for the Chinese audience. In ballet form, the storytelling is through choreography, movement, gesture, music, lighting and imaginative mise-en-scene. Not a single word was spoken. No translation necessary either. Quite a performance. The ‘East Meets West’ cultural exchange festival was organized by the Association of Chinese Cultural Foundation – Canada and APCEO Canada and had the support of the Chinese government (via its Embassy & Consulate General) and all levels (federal, BC provincial and city) of the Canadian government.

[Photos by Ray Van Eng, V21 Media]
































The Centre, Vancouver Canada

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Vancouver Pride Society President Ken Coolen and other dignitaries in the LGBT, LGBTTQ and gay communities and sponsors such as Telus, TD Bank etc. hosted the Vancouver Gay Pride Week 2011 Media Launch. To mark the occasion, Mayor Gregor Robertson declared a Gay Pride Week 2011 proclamation on the steps of the Vancouver City Hall on July 25, 2011.

The very first Gay Pride parade was founded by Pat Rocco in L.A. and he was honored as this year’s Vancouver Gay Pride Week Grand Marshall together with Vancouver very own Gay personality Joan-E, former MP Bill Siksay and the late AIDS Vancouver co-founder Bob Tivey.

With members of the media and the public standing by, Vancouver also kicked off the 2nd annual North America Out Games while a number of flag-runners making the round within the city to promote the event. Later, Coast Salish chief Dennis Joseph performed a First Nations welcome ceremony. Then, the Out Games flag was hoisted. The final raising of the Rainbow Flag completed the day’s event.

The Vancouver Pride Week starts from July 25th and runs through the whole week and cumulates on July 31st with a Gay Pride Parade along Robson and Denman street in the West End of the city. The North America Out Games also commences on Monday (July 25th) and ends on Sunday July 31st.

VIDEO – Vancouver Pride Week 2011 GAY AND THE CITY

Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Ave., Vancouver BC

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