When was the last time you attended the Bloedel Floral Conservatory?
For me, it was 1975, six years after it opened, and I never went back. Until last Sunday. What a mistake!

I finally went back for a photo field trip. The photography instructor, Ian Cook, brings his classes here regularly and never tires of it. This place is a photographer’s delight as the color is rich with flowers with endless textures of foliage. Over a hundred birds fly free within the dome against the rich, lush backdrop of tropical plants and trees.  Say “hello” to one of them and you’ll likely get “hello” back. There is a pond with a running stream where colorful ‘Koi’ fish swim back and forth.

This tropical paradise is operated by the Vancouver Parks Board and was slated for demolition until a recent public outcry by a group now named The Friends of The Bloedel Conservatory rallied to save it. The Bloedel Conservatory will now be collaboratively managed and operated by the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association and the Vancouver Park Board. While details of the new agreement are being developed, the Bloedel remains open for business with regular operating hours.

Now that I’ve recently visited this lush paradise, I am appreciative of all the efforts made by the many people who worked diligently to save it. And with VanDusen Gardens on board to spearhead renovations, I’m sure this unique Vancouver Landmark will be brought back to its former glory.

Bloedel Conservatory

33rd & Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC

(604) 257-8570

Hours of Operation
Winter (October 1 through April 30) 10am - 5pm | Sat/Sun: 10am - 9pm
Summer (May 1 through September 30) 9am - 8pm | Sat/Sun: 10am-9pm

Bloedel Floral Conservatory Website

Laurie Kingdon

My Blog: Ignite-the-Spark

778.839.3755

Everyone has a story. These are some of the people that stood out during my visits to various Olympic venues. Taking their picture has been a great way to capture some of their story. And to capture glimpses of true Olympic spirit.

Submitted by:

Laurie Kingdon

Laurie Kingdon, graphic designer | Outside-the-Box Graphics | Print + Web Media | 778.839.3755
"Use my creative spark to ignite your business vision."
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You can’t plan unexpected moments. And when they occur, they can elevate your life in wondrous ways.
My friend Alison and I reserved Sunday as “play day.” We started the day off early, not wanting to miss a beat. On a whim, we popped onto the Olympic Line streetcar at Granville Island, free during the Olympics, then hopped onto an Aquabus to Yaletown from Monks to further the adventure. We walked the seawall and saw hundreds of Inukshuk lining the entire strip between Edgewater Casino and Creekside Park. They symbolize markers that mean “we were here,” and signify a place in time which is fitting to the Olympic experience of people here for a short time from around the globe. We then walked to Live City Downtown. We arrived at the security gate after a 45 minute lineup, only to stand in another lineup for a half hour to get into the Canada Pavilion. But we were in good spirits and didn’t mind the wait. We then had an unexpected surprise after all that... we had no idea we’d actually get to see the Stanley Cup!

The Stanley Cup

This led us to yet another lineup - for a photo op to hold it - as I pictured myself holding it high above me even though it was almost as big as I was! with two mounties standing beside it. But alas! at exactly 3 pm the wall revolved 180 degrees and we watched it disappear right before our eyes! We missed the photo shot of a lifetime by three minutes. We were told it would be back tomorrow from noon to 3 pm, but three long lineups at that venue was enough.

An outing with a friend allows you to see things you wouldn’t otherwise stop for. We popped into the Vancouver Central Library for a latte at Blenz and lingered in the atrium.

The Wind Tunnel

There were a few interactive art exhibits there. The one that fascinated me was Room to Make Your Peace: 2010 Olympic Truce Project Vancouver 2010, inspired by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada who challenged all Canadians to respond to the question: In your life or community how do you make your peace? The piece is located on the ground level below the library entrance. After a small lineup, we were given a piece of paper and were instructed to write out what it takes to “make our peace.” The paper is then folded origami-shaped airplane with an LED light placed on the tip, then placed into a plexiglass wind tunnel that whisks the

Entrance to VPL Central Branch

plane high up to the top of the library and out the tunnel, spiralling down onto a net above the library entrance. The pieces blink off and on and become part of the art piece. This was truly an unexpected surprise of the day. It was fun + interactive, with an inspirational message aimed to elevate the human spirit. Indeed it did!

Our second unexpected surprise happened on our way home. After a long day, we hopped onto an Aquabus to Granville Island, then headed back. To our surprise, in an outdoor space near The Net Loft, we caught

Circus West at Granville Island

a circus act of fire jugglers, acrobats, trapeze artists and a unicyclist. We had witnessed the troupe, Circus West in action, a local circus company that teaches aspiring young artists “To Dream Big. Push Limits. Defy Gravity.

Ten Foot Dress at Granville Island

The final unexpected surprise was finding a lit up 10 foot wedding dress house “Buckminster Fuller-style”behind “Kids Only” market. You truly have to see it to believe it. It was another truly unexpected surprise and  added a “magical” finish to an already fabulously fulfilling day.

........................................................................................................................................

Laurie Kingdon, graphic designer | Outside-the-Box Graphics | Print + Web Media

778.839.3755
"Use my creative spark to ignite your business vision."
www.outsidetheboxgraphics.net

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Olympic Hockey Time in Canada!

submitted by: Laurie Kingdon, Outside-the-Box Graphics

Oh Sure! There are tickets to that much talked about hockey game on Sunday, February 21st between Canada and US, scheduled for 4:40 pm. So, my curiosity piqued, I checked the welcoming online link that encouraged me to click “We have a great selection for all events!” Ha! There’s tickets all right, as long as you know you have to pay through your teeth to get them! Take a look and lol while reading!

Prices valid as of February 18, 2010

DESCRIPTION    PRICE (EACH)
A     CDN $ 1,945.00

B     CDN $ 1,810.00

C     CDN $ 1,615.00

Suite     CDN $ 65,000.00

In all fairness, there is a link to “View More Ticket Options” so I clicked it. I’ve now registered for any 2 available tickets at may come up for $150 each. There’s a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll get them, but worth putting it out there! To better my chances, I’d have to up the ante by a few hundred dollars. Want to sign up for posssible (ha!) tickets to any hockey game that are otherwise sold out? You can register here, at:

http://bit.ly/djy07H

The Finland - Belarus Game
I attended the Finland vs. Belarus game yesterday. Finland has Teemu Selanne and Koivu so it wasn’t hard to do the math to figure out who was the underdog. Right off the bat, the puck was in the Belarus zone for most of the 1st period. They valiantly battled back in the 2nd period, but Finland whumped Belarus 5 - 1. What I enjoyed about the game was the national spirit of both countries. Flags from both countries fluttered everywhere. True Olympic spirit!

Making your hockey experience fabulous - Venue Tips and Links:
Box offices are located on the east and west side of the venue. Get your tix at least two hours before the game.

Getting in:
Similar to airport security, minus the probes and prods in private places! There are two gates - express for those with very small purses and little else - and the regular lineup for people like me who was packing a big pack sack. I delayed things by having my cell in my pant pocket. So to expedite things - travel very light, and minimize the things that will set the scanner off - in my case, the metal coil of a journal in my pack sack.

Parking:
Fugetabout-it! Lucky for me, I had a motorcycle and found parking within walking distance. Not so for anyone with a car. Common knowledge among the local yokels, but for anyone else, there’s NO PARKING for any venue downtown. The skytrain will drop you off at Stadium with a 3 blk walk to Carroll Street + Keefer. Canada Line riders will get off at Vancouver City Centre and walk 6 blocks down. Lots of helpful attendants to guide you. For people who insist on a car, there’s 3 hour free parking at Tinseltown with the purchase of a $12 movie ticket or 2 hour free parking if you are dining there. Keep your stub! Then $12 per hour thereafter!

Above all , remember, time is ticking - have the time of your life! I am, and I will!

Laurie Kingdon, graphic designer | Outside-the-Box Graphics | Branding + Rebranding

Specialist | 778.839.3755
"Use my creative spark to ignite your business vision."
www.outsidetheboxgraphics.net

My Twitter profile
My LinkedIn profile

http://ignitethespark.wordpress.com/

I love getting around on my motorcycle as there are little nooks and crannies one can park. Here’s a glimpse of what I saw today downtown:

Robson Square at 3:30 pm:

Get your finger on the pulse here during the day. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Robson Square is British Columbia’s home for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The skating rink at Robson Square, named GE Plaza, entertains the crowd waiting in line for Olympic event tickets. It’s open for free public skating from Noon to 9 pm every day.

Rentals are $3 and include helmets for those 12 and under.

Of note: Take a closer look at the artwork on the stairs. With the crowds gathered, it will be hard to notice. But the artist has painted himself on the stairs.

While you're here, take in the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit at The Vancouver Art Gallery. Admission is free during the Olympics.

Submitted by: Laurie Kingdon, creative director, outsidetheboxgraphics.net

What’s All the Buzzzzz About?
An ongoing virtual tour of the creative pulse during The Olympics.

February 7, 2010 | Posted by Laurie Kingdon

Not everyone will be able to make it to the Olympics but want to join in on the free local cultural events that extend the Olympic spirit beyond the games on TV. Below are links to provide you a virtual tour of the creativity that abounds in this culturally-rich part of the world. Creative Olympic venues abound everywhere. These are “must see” attractions as it pertains to creativity. These links allow out-of-town viewers to get a glimpse of what all the buzzz is about from the confines of your computer. This list will grow as more hot spots are unravelled through an ever-arising sense of curiosity...

1. The Light Show:

Lights at Vanier Park

This HAS to be one of the top creative venues. This electrically-charged project allows people all over the world to participate from their computer to design your own light landscape. A perfect opportunity to expand your viewpoint outward and upward beyond our computer screens to visually communicate to the world around us. Streams of 20 vectorial lights beaming nightly from powerful lights light up the from dusk till sky in a continually changing landscape.
www.vectorialvancouver.net

2. Get your finger on the cultural pulse here by visiting the Cultural Olympiad Highlights which take you a delightful array of creative events all over the city.
Tip: Scroll all the way down the page to find links to the major Olympic venues.
http://bit.ly/bNqw3V

3. The creative pulse is operating at full voltage at three Vancouver venues under the CODE umbrella. Installations, performances, music and video presentations relating to the digital realm are available free to everyone. See how technology is used to communicate the creativity of the artists’ vision. Educational, entertaining and informative, these events are held throughout the 18 days of the Olympics.  The locations are - Great Northern Way Campus, The Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch, and Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Code Live 1:
The Great Northern Way
http://bit.ly/6tZZyX

Code Live 2:
The Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch
http://bit.ly/7IizCg

Code Live 3:
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
http://bit.ly/aqqqAo

4. The making of the Olympic Medals:
A video interview of the vision behind Vancouver artist Corrine Hunt, designer of the Olympic Medals, and her collaboration with Canadian industrial designer + architect Omer Arbel, to create the innovative undulating design of the medals.
http://bit.ly/3OkKVW

5. The Story behind the 2010 Olympic Logo Design:
Rivera Design Group, an advertising agency based in Vancouver, won VANOC’s logo design contest out of 16,000 entries. This link provides a brief on the creative process behind the winning entry. It was a collaborative effort between creative director Elena Rivera MacGregor and Gonzalo Alatorre Gonzalo. Sadly, Gonzalo’s contribution has been overlooked by most media coverage.
http://bit.ly/aEEEbO

Submitted by:
Laurie Kingdon, creative director | Outside-the-Box Graphics | Print + Web Media | 778.839.3755 | www.outsidetheboxgraphics.net