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On Monday, October 4, 2010 a special 40th anniversary Canucks flag was raised at City Hall as Mayor Gregor Roberson proclaimed the date as Canucks Day. Mayor Robertson and Council, Canucks Sports & Entertainment owner Francesco Aquilini, President and General Manager Mike Gillis, Chief Operating Officer Victor de Bonis, Canucks mascot Fin and former Canucks Trevor Linden and Stan Smyl were all present to mark this special occasion.

Later, Mayor Robertson answered questions from the media and gave an update on the Dunsmuir bike lane and other planned downtown dedicated cyclist routes. I asked when a decision will be made to decide whether the Dunsmuir bike lane would be made permanent. Mr. Robertson said, “It will be sometime next year when the trial has enough months and several seasons to work through. Every season is a little different for bike traffic and for business, so the staff is waiting for data through the year.”

VIDEO – Gregor Robertson declared Oct 04, 2010 as Canucks Day

543 West 12th Ave., Vancouver City Hall

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As a guess appearance with the Dal Richards Orchestra on Aug 26, 2010, Rolf Harris brought his Aussie hometown charm to Vancouver’s PNE 2010 to help celebrate 100 Years of Fun. With an accordion around his shoulder (the strap sometimes felt too tight and he complained), he sang a number of Australian songs he helped made famous. Two Little Boys is about two young friends who grow up together and go to war later. As one laid dying in the battlefield, the other came to his aid. There is a sad family history mirrored in this song for Rolf Harris whose father and uncle both went off to World War One and only Harris’s dad returned. As for Waltzing Matilda, many still think that should have been the Australian anthem. Maybe the officials Down Under thought the song was too folksy to be sung as a national anthem. But no matter, it is very catch and easy to sing too.

The song was written by American composer Theodore Morse and lyricist Edward Madden in 1902. It became a surprising hit when Rolf Harris recorded it in 1969 after hearing the song during a visit to his home country. Harris was a British entertainer at the time and the song reached #1 on the singles chart that year. Even British PM Margaret Thatcher picked the song as one of her favorites. In October 2008, Rolf Harris re-recorded the song backed again, this time backed by North Wales’ Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. Just before Rolf Harris sang the tune at the PNE 2010 Concert Stage, he said it was the best anti-war song in his opinion. Some in the audience seemed already familiar with the song and sang along. It’s all recorded in this video.

VIDEO – Rolf Harris, Two Little Boys & Waltzing Matilda

PNE, 3000 East Hastings Street Vancouver BC

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Famous Australian and British TV entertainer Rolf Harris came to Vancouver in 1961 and he had since then returned to this westcoast Canadian city again and again. In fact, Harris wrote a song called Vancouver Town as an ode to the city. At the PNE 2010 fairgrounds on Aug 26, 2010, with Dal Richards conducting his orchestra, Harris sang an updated Vancouver Town version to include current events and politicians such as the unpopular HST, Mayor Gregor Robertson while some older favorites such as Jimmy Pattison, Grace McCarthy stayed on. The BC Lions was down under and that ain’t Australia either. Oh yeah, The Canucks and Stanley Cup too. English Bay was praised, the venerable Lions Gate Bridge was not. First Nations and native affairs provided satire while heritage buildings, Skytrain, SeaBus and Canada Line all helped paint a colorful setting for the city that Harris liked so much. Harris’s Aussie humor was so hilarious that he grinded down the microphone almost to the ground. I am not kiddiing.

VIDEO—Rolf Harris Updated Vancouver Town Song

PNE, 3000 East Hastings Street Vancouver BC

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The summer BBQ took place on July 18, 2010 (Sunday) at the rooftop patio of the Kensington Community Centre in Vancouver. Vision Vancouver wanted to celebrate with party members and the invited public for more than a year of accomplishment at City Hall. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and other elected officials were present. Vision Vancouver is saying that they are ‘embracing a new future and working towards solutions to end homelessness, building a green economy, investing in creativity and innovation and improving the quality of life for all.’

Mayor Robertson assumed office on December 08, 2008. Previously, he was MLA for Vancouver-Fairview from May 2005 to July 2008. This is the first year that Vision Vancouver was hosting the Summer BBQ. More than 150 people showed up for the semi-private function. Word is that they are interesting to host a similar event next year.

VIDEO – Mayor Gregor Robertson gave a short speech and rally. (1’ 18”)












5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver BC

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