Two years ago, Andrew Lavigne and Jon Ornoy took it upon themselves to capture the 2010 Winter Games‘ effect on Vancouver from the perspective of people directly impacted by the Olympics. Downtown Eastside residents, bloggers, photographers, activists, proponents and opponents found themselves infront of Andrew and Jon’s cameras as With Glowing Hearts documented the changes and opportunities experienced by four individuals during the lead up and execution of the largest event in British Columbia’s history.

Now, the Games are over, the cleanup is almost complete, the province is reviewing Olympic related finances and the stories have been captured. All that remains, however, is the expensive process of distilling hours of raw video into a narrative that spans two years and four stories.

In order to complete the film, Andrew, Jon and Kemp Edmonds created the Tweet and Toonie Torch Relay–a social media campaign designed to promote the film on Twitter, blogs and other online tools while helping raise the $10,000 needed to complete the film. It’s easy and fast to support this project. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined by Kemp below.

For just $2 you can become a producer: your name will appear in a word cloud much like this. A $2 donation will show your name in size one font while a $200 donation will show your name in size 100 font. All fonts are proportional to the largest contribution. An image will be posted of the cloud and made available as a poster.

Enter to win a producer credit and copy of the film with a tweet: You can also enter to win a weekly prize of a DVD or digital copy of the film and a $20 producer credit (size 10 font). Each tweet represents an entry. winner will be chosen at random. All you have to do to enter is tweet one of these messages:

• I am a proud supporter and hopefully winner of a copy of the film #withglowinghearts and a producers credit! http://wghthemovie.ca
• Only $2 makes me a movie producer #withglowinghearts http://wghthemovie.ca
• I am entering to win a film credit and a copy of the film #withglowinghearts http://wghthemovie.ca
• Support local documentaries. Become a producer #withglowinghearts http://wghthemovie.ca

(source: Kemp Edmonds)

While you donate and tweet an entry to the contest, check out this short webisode featuring True North Media House. It’s one of four clips released in anticipation of this campaign and the rest can be found embedded in Kemp Edmonds’ article announcing With Glowing Hearts’ fundraising efforts.

WGHthemovie.ca- Webisode #2 ‘True North Media House’ from Andrew Lavigne on Vimeo.

Photo by Evan "ecstaticist" Leeson (Creative Commons)

It’s a rainy, Thursday morning and there’s nothing good on tv (aside from feats of human excellence on CTV). We’ve collected some TNMH-related/social media links into a handy blog post to print off, email, or read to your friends and family.

• First up is a futuristic cyberlink to  True North Media House’s Flickr Group. The awesome image above was shared in the group’s photo pool and taken by the incredibly talented Evan Leeson.
• Jennifer Jones analyzes a few olympic tweeters including @2010tweets, @tnmh, and @W2Woodwards.
• Deborah Jones examines journalistic independence during the Vancouver Olympics.
• The Tyee covers an extensive list of social media people and sites based in Vancouver.
• Canada.com profiles their team of social bloggers including Robert Scales, Nadia Aly, Mariska Richters, Dave Olson, Rebecca Bollwitt, Kris Krüg, and John Biehler.
• Kris Krüg’s PBS photo essay on the Olympics covers TNMH, W2Woodwards, and a host of social media mavens.

The Vancouver Police Museum and Harry McWatters, founder of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, invite media to a history lesson and wine event like no other!

What:

Discovery two unique pieces of British Columbia’s history: tour the Vancouver Police Museum and glean key points from the history of lawlessness and law enforcement in Vancouver; then, in the unconventional setting of the museum’s autopsy suite (complete with two autopsy tables!), hear tales of the development of, and how Sparkling wine is an important component in, the BC wine industry.

McWatters will then saber open some Sumac Ridge Sparkling wine with the Police Museum’s ceremonial “Stewart to Stewart Sword” and teach attendees how it’s done. This sword was Commissioned in 1984 to commemorate the promotion of R.J. Stewart to Chief Constable (the first Chief Constable was also a Stewart, so the sword is dubbed the “Stewart to Stewart Sword”).

This promises to be an evening of taste, tales and sights to remember!

When: Wednesday, Feb 24 7:00pm

Where:

Vancouver Police Museum: 240 East Cordova St., Vancouver BC

There is metered street parking available on Gore or parkades a short distance away.

Who:

Harry McWatters, founder of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery “Grandfather of the BC Wine Industry”

Joanna Cramond, curator, Vancouver Police Museum

Chris Mathieson, executive director, Vancouver Police Museum

Why:

For a local or world audience, this evening will offer an informative and fun snapshot of two components of British Columbia’s storied history.

About Vancouver Police Museum:

The Vancouver Police Museum is non-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of the Vancouver Police Department and its context in Vancouver. The museum is housed in a designated heritage building that served as City Morgue, Coroner’s Court and City Analyst’s Lab for more than 50 years. Unlike many museums, the Police Museum is self-funded through its own admission fees, program revenues and gift shop sales, receiving no operational funding from any level of government. (It also happens to be the second most-followed museum in Canada on Twitter.) For more information, visit www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca.

About Sumac Ridge Estate Winery:

Founded by Harry McWatters in Summerland, British Columbia in 1979, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery is the oldest operating estate winery in British Columbia.

Notable wines crafted by winemaker Mark Wendenburg from Sumac Ridge’s vineyards (including its acclaimed 115 acre Black Sage Vineyard) include Gewürztraminer, Meritage, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, “Methode Classique” sparkling wines, and Icewine. Open year-round, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery offers tours, a retail shop, a wine tasting bar, and a private Founder’s Tasting Room. The winery is also home to the highly praised Cellar Door Bistro which offers exceptional regional cuisine. For more information, visit www.sumacridge.com.

Bear watching and larger wildlife conservation areas the only answer to protect diverse and rare bears in the Great Bear Rainforest

What: Media are invited to meet with First Nations Spirit Bear expert and guardian Doug Neasloss, ‘Muq Vas Glaw’, the lead guide and cultural interpreter at Spirit Bear Adventures, from Klemtu, British Columbia. www.spiritbear.com

Over the past ten years Neasloss has been tracking, studying and working actively to provide protection for the Spirit Bears, which are only found in British Columbia.

He is available to speak about the importance of protecting the Spirit Bears and about how eco-cultural tourism is also playing a central role in raising awareness about the need for more protection.

Offering the world one of the most unique eco-cultural experiences in Canada, Spirit Bear Adventures is a First Nations owned and operated company on the central coast of British Columbia that conducts four and seven day tours within their ancestral lands and traditional territory.

Who: Doug Neasloss is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced Spirit Bear guides and was recently awarded the Young Adult Achievement Award by Aboriginal Tourism BC.

When: Neasloss will be at the AtBC Kla-how-ya Aboriginal Village from 9:30am to 5:00pm from Tuesday, February 23 through Friday, February 26.

Where: AtBC Kla-how-ya Aboriginal Village in the Pan Pacific Hotel on the 3rd floor of 999 Canada Place, Vancouver. Visit www.aboriginalbc.com for complete information.

About the Spirit Bears:
The rare Spirit Bear is only found in British Columbia, with the highest concentration being found in the Great Bear Rainforest. The Spirit Bears are believed to be a genetic variation of the Black Bears that are found throughout the province. The presence of a single recessive gene is responsible for the white coat that as many as one in ten of these bears are born with. It is estimated that there are less than 400 Spirit Bears in the world.

The Legend of the Spirit Bears
The Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nations people, who have lived on the central coast of British Columbia with the Spirit Bears for thousands of years, have a myth that says, “Raven made one in every ten black bears white to remind the people of a time when glaciers covered this land and to remind the people that they should be thankful of the lush and bountiful land of today.” Many of the Kitasoo/Xaixais believe the Spirit bears hold super-natural powers, hence the name Spirit Bear – a name that suits its mythical like presence.

“DOXA screens SALUTE, Thur. Feb 25 @ 7PM @ Fifth Ave Cinemas $10.00″

Olympic Black Power Saluted

On February 25th DOXA Documentary Film Festival presents the award-winning documentary SALUTE from director Matt Norman

On October 16, 1968 at the Mexico Olympics, two black American track and field medalists raised their black-gloved fists in silent protest for civil rights, while sharing the podium with white Australian runner Peter Norman. That Black Power salute is one of the most iconic images of the 20th Century.

Salute revisits this controversial incident through the eyes of that third man on that stage. Lovingly told by Peter’s nephew, Matthew, Salute is a personal reflection about a man whose courageous, simple support for human rights half a world away defied conventional logic and earned him a place in history.

Salute is a beautifully drawn portrait of three men whose bravery and strength inspired a generation of activists and is an important lesson about standing up for your beliefs in a hostile world.

Canadian premiere of award winning film.

More information here: http://doxafestival.ca/news/motionpictures/salute.html

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9NsN0ybTec

Hattip Mike Browne
Social Media Coordinator / Blogger
DOXA Documentary Film Festival
Vancouver BC, Canada

http://blog.doxafestival.ca/

This just in .. head on down to Richmond for a unique experience – quoting Kate Rogers from @canadasnorth

This is a rare opportunity that I wanted to bring your attention to. It is all week, with the exception of the Darkness to Light celebration.

From the numbers I’m seeing, we will have over 140 northern artists and performers at the O Zone and Gateway Theatre today. They represent all three territories. You can meet the artists and have them demonstrate their work. It is a spacious, easy to access location for everyone.

Please, let me know if you would like more details or an on-site contact to talk about the artisans and displays. Although the performance “Darkness to Light” is one night only (tonight) the other cultural displays are every day from today through February 28th.

Cheers,
Kate

Visions of the North – Artisans Market
Main Stage Area (Tent)
Feb. 23 – 28, 2010
3 – 11 p.m. weekdays: 12 – 11 p.m. on weekends
Learn more about the unique art and culture of Canada’s three northern territories in a special artisans market presented by the Pan Northern First Nations Council and Yukon Arts Centre. Carvers of bone, soapstone and wood, sewers, print makers – an extraordinary collection of artists have come together in one spot to demonstrate their skill and talent. Over 65 artists work is also on display.

From Darkness to Light – Canada’s North
Main Stage
February 23rd – One time only performance
3 – 6:30 p.m.
Experience the best that Canada’s North has to offer through an eclectic mix of performances from Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut that showcase traditional and contemporary art forms. Discover the landscapes, people and culture of the North through live music, storytelling, song, dance, video and performance. Canada’s northern territories invite you to join in a celebration of the vibrancy and beauty that is Canada’s North. With over 120 performers in this one-time, colourful, powerful series of performances, no one will be sitting still. The amazing ‘you -have – to – see – it – to – believe – it’ Blanket Toss and northern drumming will be performed.

Sewing our Traditions: Dolls of Canada’s North” Exhibition
Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Pan-Northern Doll Exhibit is a collection of hand-made dolls created by Inuit, Métis, and First Nations from Northern Canada. The dolls represent the historical and contemporary perspective Northern fashion, culture, and sport.

Sewing our Traditions: Dolls of Canada’s North – Private Reception (All media welcomed)
Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
7:30p.m. – 9 p.m.
Presentations and performances by Inuvialuit Drummers and Dancers, Inuit throat singers and Rising Sun Singers.

NOTE: Media can gain access to the O-Zone site by displaying credentials at the security gate on the West side of the O Zone (Gilbert Rd.). Head towards the tennis club and turn right. Enter the restricted area and head towards the security/gate.

By Cherisse Dye and Jason Sanders

Gifts were then exchanged between the Four Host Nations and the Yukon chiefs. The local First Nation hosts welcomed the visitors with handcrafted blankets and cravings while the Yukon chiefs thanked them with five pieces of Northern artwork.

Dakamada Dancers.

The attendees were then led to a globe outside the initial presentation area where comedians, actors, dancers, drummers and singers entertained them for the next forty minutes. Each song, dance, or scene told a short, but important part of First Nations’ history.

Dakhka Khwaan Dancers

Boyd Benjamin

Raven Spirit Dance

As the performance came to an end, the collective troupe poured out onto the stage and into the crowd for the finale, proudly celebrating their First Nation heritage with the audience. An excellent end to an excellent Sunday morning.

The TNMH campaign is going full bore with multiple events each day – If you’d like to do a piece about social reporting at Vancouver 2010, find interviewees, invite to events or spread other messages, you can:

Email list – register for the TNMH Media mailing list – once you are approved for the list (quick as we can), you can post directly to: vancouver-2010-alternative-media@googlegroups.com

Twitter - tag your Twitter updates #tnmh to alert the people on the street

Direct Email - send details to “info  {at} truenorthmediahouse.com” with details including time/date, locations and links for further info

Once the info is shared, the TNMH crew will add to blog and calendar as quickly as possible but mailing to the list and/or Twitter is faster than direct email since we are on the go too.

Either way, let people know what you seek and you’ll receive many options and ideas as people are doing remarkable stuff on the street.

If you aren’t already following, keep an eye on the #tnmh tag on Twitter, follow @tnmh and @truenorthmedia and the blog http://truenorthmediahouse.com/blog/ for frequent updates.

Be sure to add the Flickr Meetup at the Olympics. to your calendar. Hosted by Yahoo here are the details:

• Date: Monday February 22nd
• Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
• Location: Yahoo! Sports Studio in Yaletown, 1128 Hamilton Street, Get Directions

Here are all the details  from Yahoo Flickr blog: Oh Canada, see you at the Vancouver meetup! (featuring kk+ photos)

“We’d also like to invite Flickr members who are in the Vancouver area to join us on Monday, February 22, at the Yahoo! Sports Studio in Yaletown. We’ll display photos from the Olympics group on Flickr, and provide a warm place for you all to regroup and upload your photos.”

Be sure to check Twitter for where the True North Media House members are at. If you would like to promote an event or happening via True North Media House join the Alternative Media Google Group and send an email to vancouver-2010-alternative-media@googlegroups.com

If you are hosting a photography focused event and would like it added to this post please email kemp {at} truenorthmediahouse {dot} com.

BBM3 is hosting an open house at our Olympic Media Centre Tuesday, Feb. 23rd where they are inviting the other member companies of the 2010 BC Showcase, friends of SoMedia, and members of Vancouver’s Social Media and Business community.

The reception from 5:00 to 8:00 with wine, beer and food. Black Hills Estate Winery’s highly respected Nota Bene and Chardonnay or Red Truck Beer if more to your liking.

Date/Time: Feb. 23rd 5-8PM

Location: 1737 W 3rd Ave (off Burrard)

What Else: Watch Olympics, meet other media makers and celebration cocktail hour

About the BBN3 Media Centre

The BBN3 Olympic Media Centre is producing “non venue” Vancouver focused video journalism content throughout the Olympics for broadcasters across North America including CHEK TV, CHCH, Global TV, and dozens of network affiliates of FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS and CW across the US

UPDATE:

From Leeann Froese, Coletta Consultants:

Here in Canada we were made for extreme sports and extreme winemaking!

Accredited members of the True North Media House are invited to participate in a VIP Icewine tasting. Learn how this precious nectar, under adverse conditions, is created and then proceed through a guided taste. You must show your TNMH Badge to qualify.

New Date/Time: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Location: Inniskillin Icewine Gallery in the O Zone in Richmond, home of the OZone, Skating Oval and Holland House.

More: Learn more about Official Wines of the Olympic Winter Games via @2010wines

More about Vincor, makers of:

• Inniskillin Niagara
• Inniskillin Okanagan
• Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate
• Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
• Nk’Mip Cellars
• See Ya Later Ranch
• Sumac Ridge Estate Winery

YUKON FIRST NATIONS DAY AT 2010 ABORIGINAL PAVILION

“What the Land Remembers”

Media Briefing -9:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Note: This event takes place in the Jack Poole Reception Hall NE corner, behind the Pavilion.( if facing the Aboriginal Pavillion, it is behind and to the left) If Possible, please arrive no later than 9:15 a.m. to allow us to check you in. Call 250-882-9199 with any questions.

What:

A media briefing on the impact of an incredible project that brought 70 First Nations members from across the territory together to create a remarkable celebration and showcase of Yukon’s First Nations (YFN).

When: 9:15 a.m. for 9:30 a.m. start. – Media will be briefed on the impact and legacy of YFN 2010 as well as be introduced to the performance, performers, Chiefs, artists, youth and elders who have all been instrumental in preparing the Yukon First Nations showcase at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Note: Media are welcome to stay for the full performance that begins at 11:00 a.m. of What the Land Remembers.

Where: 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza ( Hamilton & West Georgia Street)

Who:

Performers, Artists, Youth and Elders.

Grand Chief Andy Carvill

Chief Brenda Sam

Chief Diane Strand

AFN Regional Chief Eric Morris

Minister Jim Kenyon, Economic Development, Yukon Government.

Why:

Yukon First Nations are leveraging this opportunity to be on the world stage to develop legacy plans for all Yukon First Nations from youth and elders to performing and visual artists and business. Projected outcomes include:

* new touring performance groups,
* wholesale cultural industry growth,
* new businesses,
* inspired future leaders,
* national networks and international relationships.

-30-

Join Fresh Media and W2 for a hybrid conference about how Social Media has Transformed the Olympic Story

Where: W2 Culture + Media House @ 112 West Hastings

When: Feb 22 starting at 1pm

Tickets: http://freshmediaolympics.eventbrite.com/

What: an afternoon of intellectual dialogue on the impact social media has had on the stories surrounding the Olympic games. The Winter Olympics and Paralympics are expected to draw 3 billion television and 70 million website viewers worldwide and will generate more wireless and social media-based content than any previous Olympics.

With this explosion of citizen-generated media tools in the hands of Olympic fans and foes, as well as pervasive reporting by new media journalists and bloggers, will social media have its journalistic coming-out party this February?

The conference features a keynote from Andy Miah, author of ‘Genetically Modified Athletes’ (2004) and ‘A Digital Olympics: Digital Games, Ethics & Cultures’ (The MIT Press, 2010), and panels with senior journalists and industry watchers from the USA, UK, Canada, and elsewhere.

The conference also brings people face-to-face for networking and sharing tips on theory, practice, legal and operations. W2 will webstream to reach viewers outside Vancouver. The day wraps with a Cinq à Sept reception and evening party with Vancouver artists and DJs.

Please register online in advance http://freshmediaolympics.eventbrite.com/

Join the Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=303438344846&ref=ts

SCHEDULE

1:00pm – Keynote by Andy Miah followed by Dialogue
3:15pm – Workshops
Workshop 1: Harnessing the Media to Activate Citizens
Workshop 2: Bejing to London
Workshop 3: An open space for discussion based on issues rising from
the dialogue following Andy Miah’s keynote.
5:00pm – Reception

Converse with us on Twitter

http://twitter.com/freshmediame

UPDATED LOCATION

We are now starting at the Gastown Blog HQ, 1 Water Street. NOT W2

Note: See you there at 4PM–if you can’t make it (perhaps because you are watching hockey), drop by the Alibi room after the game.
Duncan
416-909-4810

VideoWalk

Thwapr, a new mobile-to-mobile service has scheduled a TNMH Van2010 video walk on Wednesday 4-6PM, departing from W2 (subject to change as per W2).

Participants will be tweeting videos during and after the walk from their phones, interviewing citizens about their favourite Olympic athletes, and Vancouver as host city. There will be a prize for the best thwap.

Details

Date: Wednesday Feb 24th

Time 4PM-6PM

Location: Meet at Gastown Blog HQ, 1 Water Street.

RSVP via http://twtvite.com/dlkk6p

Contact Duncan Kennedy dkennedy {at} thwapr {dot} com

BEER BONUS

Participants will complete their journey at the Alibi Room (map) which has an amazing selection of local brews

With so many passionate photographers it’s no wonder that Flickr is going crazy trying to host all of the amazing work.

Photo By: Kris Krug

There are two photo events coming up (Feb 18th & Feb 22nd), although everyday is a photo event at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The first event starts in 24 hours and is being hosted by AdHack. Here are the details:

• Date: Thursday, February 18th
• Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm
• Location: Beatty St & Dunsmuir St. at the Stadium Skytrain station (map)
• RSVP: via Facebook (Event invitation)
• BONUS FUN! The photowalk will finish off at the On the Edge Pub (map) to watch the men’s ice hockey game: Canada vs. Switzerland.

You may have heard of the Olympic Ad project we’ve been working on, or our Olympic Ad Contest.

We held a photowalk on February 9th, and now we’re having a second one! It’s a fun way to get out in the sunshine, walk, take photos, and meet new people. We’d love for you to join us.

This is the route we might take. Of course, we may go off track if we come across something interesting.

After the photowalk, enter your photos in our contest, and vote for your favourites. Easy. Fun!

The second photo event is the Flickr Meetup at the Olympics. Hosted by Yahoo here are the details:

Date: Monday February 22nd

Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Yahoo! Sports Studio in Yaletown, 1128 Hamilton Street, Get Directions

We’d also like to invite Flickr members who are in the Vancouver area to join us on Monday, February 22, at the Yahoo! Sports Studio in Yaletown. We’ll display photos from the Olympics group on Flickr, and provide a warm place for you all to regroup and upload your photos.

These are just a few of the things going on in the next few days. Be sure to check Twitter for where the True North Media House is at. If you would like to promote an event or happening via True North Media House join the Alternative Media Google Group and send an email to vancouver-2010-alternative-media@googlegroups.com

If you are hosting a photography focused event and would like it added to this post please email kemp@truenorthmediahouse.com and I will add it.

Be sure subscribe to the True North Media Newsdesk on Twitter (@truenorthmedia) for the full feed of all TNMH related media. And/or follow the True North Media House firehose feed on the web.

You can also invite the whole True North Media House crew to your event or happening simply by emailing vancouver-2010-alternative-media@googlegroups.com after registering here: http://groups.google.ca/group/vancouver-2010-alternative-media

With the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics a mere work week away, some of the social media members of Vancouver took a contemplative look at how they’re going to approach the Games and events.

Rebecca Bollwit’s website, Miss 604,  is an encyclopedic trove of dates, times, event descriptions, location guides, and Olympic news. Her Vancouver 2010 RSSencapsulates the many events occurring around the Lower Mainland into blog posts featuring Granville Island, the Richmond O Zone, Robson Square, and some of the participating country pavilions, just to highlight a few. Besides her blog, Rebecca can be found  on Twitter tweeting live Olympic coverage.

John Bollwit’s photojournalistic endeavour took him through the city and up the mountains in order to document some of the new, and/or refurbished, locations around Vancouver. In his travels, John covered the new Olympic Line streetcar (and dry erase messaging system), the Downtown Core, the Athletes Village, and Whistler. He also outlined some his feelings about the Olympics in an optimistic blog post that considered the many different–and difficult–issues surrounding the games. John can also be seen on Twitter.

I haven’t forgotten about the politics on the local and worldwide scale. They are always there, and I can’t forget about the issues of homelessness in Vancouver nor the hefty price tag that has come with these games. Nothing I can say in a blog post could answer all of those problems, but I will be watching closely once everything is done to make sure those promises by VANOC are held accountable.

That being said, my hope and dream is to absorb the atmosphere that the games will bring upon Vancouver. I’m not sure where that might lead me, but we’ll ride the wave and end up where we end up. Be it total chaos to amazing opportunities, people, and new friends, I’ve been enlightened with stories by others who have been to games past. It prepares you as much as opens up avenues to all sorts of other questions.

I have been invited to the opening of Pride House, which will be hosted at Qmunity. The opening is on Thursday February 11th(which sadly, is one of the days I teach, so I am not sure how I’m going to juggle my schedule). But I really want to support this worthy initiative. I find that it’s hard to find any openly-gay Olympians (with the exception of my idol, Matthew Micham, World Diving Champion and Olympic Diving Champion). Qmunity is at 1170 Bute Street, almost corner of Davie. The opening is from 2:00pm to 3:00.

Kris Krüg of Static Photography followed the Olympic torch up to Prince George, snowshoed and dog sledded around the Arctic wonderland, and headed back to Vancouver’s metropolis just in time for the torch’s arrival. A consummate Vancouver photographer, Kris captured the city’s key Olympic landmarks — Canada Hockey Place and The Richmond Oval – in beautiful HDR on Flickr and 3d collage on Photosynth. In addition, Kris is actively uploading all Olympic related photos to his Flickr stream to be shared, downloaded, and enjoyed the spirit of Creative Commons. You can follow Kris on Twitter, Flickr and Youtube.

Robert Scales of Raincity Studios and Vancouver Access 2010 is heading up one of the most active and up to date independent Olympic sites on the Internet. Utilizing Flickr, Twitter, Youtube and roving social media reporters, Vancouver Access 2010 is bringing current Olympic news to the masses as it happens. Literally. What they’ve done best is distilling the schizophrenic schedule of events occurring around the city into several simple guides of fun. The most popular post by far is their Guide to Free Attractions which highlights a serious amount of entertainment available in the city for everyone. Robert’s already hit up the Robson Square Zipline and a few open houses like the impressive CODE Live. You can follow his Olympic exploits on Twitter, Youtube and Flickr.

Vancouver photographer, Bev Davies, hit the Olympic streets with her camera last week and has already begun capturing street demonstrations and corporate commericial presences on her Flickr stream for all to see. Her Olympic schedule for the next few days includes a visit to the W2 Independent Media for it’s grand opening on Wednesday — where they’re showing some of her photos of D.O.A. –, Robson Square Zipline and a few after dark events.

I will be going to the opening of w2 wed morning between 9 and 10 am. I also have a photo show there 13 Photographs of D.O.A. on the Mezzanine off the main floor gallery. I will be doing other things that include the mind bending changing colour of the lights in Ontario while staying in Vancouver. All I need to do is get there when it is dark in ontario and not after 7pm here (bands come on at 7pm). It sounds like a bit of party central because it is open until 2 AM. Also I will be riding the Zip line 6 stories above Robson Street. I will try not to forget that D.O.A. are playing at the Rickshaw Feb 20. Anything thing else that sounds good and is free let me know. bev101 on twitter.

Note: Originally Posted by Ethan Clow at Radio Freethinker on January 29, 2010. Re-posted here on: February 9, 2010.

Last week in January, Dave Olson joinedRadio Freethinker, a Vancouver based skeptic radio show, to discuss civil rights and security during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with Rob Teszka, Ethan Clow, and Daniel Gipps. Throughout the hourlong show they covered the  ineffectiveness of CCTVs, how these security systems impact rights, and how media will be affected during the Olympics.

Radio Freethinker episode 47 – Hour long Olympics episode, we discuss civil rights, security and media with special guest Dave Olson.

Song: The Official Theme song of the Vancouver Whistler 2010 Olympic Games by Geoff Berner

Links:

Dave Olson: http://uncleweed.net/ and http://truenorthmediahouse.com/

Mike Adams “what skeptics really believe”

CCTV and security cameras: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/the-big-question-are-cctv-cameras-a-waste-of-money-in-the-fight-against-crime-822079.html

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hors292.pdf

http://v2010isu.com/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=516&languageId=1&contentId=6821#faq-sp-venues-cctv

http://privacy.openflows.org/lyon_paper.html

Bill 13 – MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2009 http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th1st/3rd_read/gov13-3.htm

Events:

UBC Freethinkers

Media at the Adventure Centre

Media in Squamish - Photo by John Bollwitt

Tourism Squamish & District of Squamish are offering media, in particular social media practitioners, the use of the Squamish Adventure Centre facilities.

Being halfway between the venues in Whistler and Vancouver, Squamish provides a convenient hub for covering the Olympics.

{Note: Squamish is also lot of fun to visit with great micro-brew, cool shops and the best grilled cheese restaurant ever}.

Location: Squamish Adventure Centre - Map

Date/Hours: February 1 to February 28

Contact: media (at) tourismsquamish (dot) com ~ 1.604.815.5080

Details:

Facilities available: workspace, high-speed internet connection, café, private interview rooms, printing and photocopying available at a nominal fee

Services provided:

• story leads and story starters related to the Squamish and Sea to Sky regions
• interview facilitation with local spokespeople for background information
• access to HD footage and B-roll of the region
• access to high quality photos
• dedicated media contact

Paint the Town Red - photo by John Bollwitt

Snowboarding in Whistler Blackcomb by KK

In the Whistler/Blackcomb area, media makers have another option for co-ordination and creation with a few initiatives Whistler/Blackcomb are doing in the social media realm including the Whistler Blackcomb Media hub.

They sent along some information on how reporters can apply for accreditation in Whistler to start a whole new conversation during the Olympics while also checking out the splendour of the mountains.

Whistler Blackcomb Media Hub

Whistler Blackcomb is running a media services centre called the Whistler Blackcomb Media Hub to help facilitate mountain access and help journalists find interesting and compelling Whistler Blackcomb story ideas.

Where: Westin Hotel Map

Hours: Feb . 10~28, 8am-6pm

Contact: 604.905.2010

Details:

From W/B Media Hub:

If you have accreditation for the Whistler Media House, you automatically have accreditation for the Whistler Blackcomb Media Hub.

Bloggers are welcome to apply for accreditation. Here is some criteria in which we are gauging mountain access:

* Must have an established site/blog with previous content
* Blogger must have around 5,000 views per month OR at around 100 hits/day

Connect in Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb has a variety of social communities and during the Games they’ll be posting info, video and photos as possible to help people follow along and encourage others to join in the conversation plus producing the Game On video podcast every second day of the Games, which will take viewers behind the scenes at Whistler Blackcomb during the Games. The first episode will launch Feb. 8.

Whistler Tags

Whistler social media community is running two hashtags for media:

#whistler30 is a story ideas hashtag for journalists looking for interesting story ideas about the Whistler community.

#whistlerw5 is designed for reporters to ask questions and other will pitch in and help answer Qs.

More Whistler:

Whistler Blackcomb media centre online

@WhistlerBlckcmb on Twitter

Whistler Blackcomb Flickr group

Whistler social communities including FB, MyS, podcasts, RSS, etc.