The opening weekend of Innovation Week was a hit – despite a massive dump of snow on the opening day.
Innovation Week, which is being celebrated Feb. 23 to March 3, includes a wide variety of events for folks of all ages, many relating to this year’s theme of transportation. While attendance at the opening night reception on Feb. 29 was a bit low because of snow, those who made their way to city hall enjoyed an impressive digital performance.
Despite the snow, only one team canceled its participation in the annual hackathon, which was held at Anvil Centre on Saturday and Douglas College on Sunday. Judging the event were: Jesse Dougherty, general manager of Amazon Vancouver; Kurt Pregler, CIO for TransLink; Dave Teixiera, a member of the the Douglas College board of directors; Mayor Jonathan Cote; and Lisa Leblanc, the city’s manager of transportation.
Team Heartbreakers, who develop and innovative app that could allow users to better plan their trips using multi modes, took top spot in the hackathon, winning $750 cash and a mentorship pack valued at $4,0000 from local business Terra Tap Technologies.
"Amazon is proud to once again support the city's Innovation Week and to sponsor Hack Our City,” said Jesse Dougherty, general manager of Amazon Vancouver. “This event brings together the New West community to think big about new ideas, and to invent and simplify solutions to problems through the use of open data. We are very happy to be a part of the community in New Westminster, and are excited to see what transportation-themed apps and projects come out of the hack-a-thon at Douglas College.”
Building on a busy weekend, a wide variety of events have been held throughout the week. You still have time to check out Innovation Week events including a Livable Cities event (today) and Inspiration Day and Pecha Kucha New West (March 3).
Full details at newwestcity.ca/innovatenw.
Support local grads at sale
A local group that helps graduates look and feel their best on their big day is selling off some of its stock this weekend.
Since a group of local women formed You Wear it Well … Just for Grads in 2010, the group has offered a Boutique Day where grands can pick out attire and get pampered. On Saturday, You Wear it Well is selling off some of the inventory that isn’t suitable for grads.
In addition to brands like Guess, Bebe, BCBG and Chinese Laundry), the sale includes some items that are brand new and still have their tags attached.
If you’re in the market for new or gently used cocktail length dresses, shoes, jewelry, accessories and more, you can drop by the sale that’s taking place on Saturday, March 3 from noon to 2 p.m. at Fraser River Middle School, 800 Queens Ave.
It’s a win-win. Not only will you get some bargains (everything is $15 or less), but 100 per cent of the proceeds will go back into the program. The sale will be cash only and all sales are final.
Fontaine takes charge
Royal City resident Daniel Fontaine is taking the helm of the Canadian Association for Long-Term Care.
Fontaine, who is the chief executive officer of the B.C. Care Providers Association, was recently elected as the new president of the Canadian Association for Long-term Care.
“This is the first time the Canadian Association for Long-Term Care (CALTC) has elected a chair from British Columbia. Given the urgency of seniors’ health care in our province, and the fact we have the highest per capita seniors population in the country, I think it is a real opportunity to bring B.C.-made solutions to the national stage,” he said. “All provinces are facing the immediate challenge of labour shortages, caused in part by federally-regulated immigration policies. As CALTC’s chair, I expect to be spending a lot more time in discussions with federal officials regarding how we can work more collaboratively.”
