Inside Vancouver

Featured Vancouverites: The Gastown Gazette

by Ehren Seeland in Vancouverites on March 4, 2014

Hometown:
Andy Patton: Vancouver, British Columbia; Kim Patton: Johannesburg, South Africa; Dani Kremeniuk: Evansburg Alberta; Jeff Topham: Summerland, British Columbia

How long have you been Vancouverites:
Andy Patton: 40 years; Kim Patton: 3 years; Dani Kremeniuk: 10 years; Jeff Topham: 25 years

Occupation:
We are a big jumble of skills and experience. We’ve worked as photographers, writers, IT professionals, filmmakers, actors, editors, bartenders and small business managers. Today The Gastown Gazette kind of works as a co-op. We pitch in where and when we can, or are needed. Most days Jeff handles the photography and edits, Dani writes the Gastowners series and Gastown Style, Kim holds the team together, and Andy pontificates and publishes. What unites us is a passion for telling a great story, contributing to the community, and helping people understand the unique challenges, potential and incredible beauty of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

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Featured Vancouverites: The Gastown Gazette

Featured Vancouverite: Dr. Divi Chandna

by Ehren Seeland in Vancouverites on February 4, 2014

Hometown: Windsor, Ontario

How long have you been a Vancouverite? 9 years (wow!)

Occupation:
I’ve been practicing family medicine for 20 years. After the first five years in traditional allopathic medicine, I began my search for alternative remedies. I am also a mind-body medicine coach, yoga teacher, meditation teacher and certified medical intuitive.

I currently take my strong knowledge base in Western Medicine combined with alternative medicine to help people get to the root of their disease. Through the marriage of these disciplines, I am able to work with clients, and guide and empower them on their healing journey. My primary focus is to help patients integrate that state of wellness inside of them. My job is to teach, guide and show my patients the paths that will allow them to heal and create greater wellness from the inside out.

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Featured Vancouverite: Dr. Divi Chandna

Music producer sets sights on video with fundraising campaign

by Shawn Conner in Vancouverites on January 13, 2014

Vancouver musician/producer Reid Hendry is in the midst of a campaign to raise fund for a music video. Photo courtesy Reid Hendry.

Reid Hendry is a musician and producer working on launching his career in Vancouver. Originally from Acton, Ontario, Hendry plays in a duo called Watasun and has accompanied artists such as Vancouver singer/songwriter Wanting. Recently, he completed a 10-song album of upbeat instrumental world music. To bring more attention to the release, which he’s recorded under the name re-ID, Hendry has launched a fundraising campaign to make a video for the album’s first single, Clockwork. We talked to the young artist about his career, his new music project and the fundraising campaign, which ends Jan. 26.

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Music producer sets sights on video with fundraising campaign

Featured Vancouverites: Don Williams and Tak Yukawa

by Ehren Seeland in Vancouverites on January 7, 2014

Hometown:
Don Williams: The small town of Quesnel, British Columbia
Tak Yukawa: Richmond, British Columbia

How long have you been a Vancouverite?
DW: 15 years
TY: I’ve been a Vancouverite for 15 years as well.

Occupation:
DW: As a co-founder of Free Agency Creative, I have been working in the creative field for almost 20 years. My desire at Free Agency is to bridge the gap between business objectives and creative strategy through the effective writing of brand messaging platforms. I am also responsible for business development, in a diverse range of industry verticals that include technology, outerwear, event marketing and real estate. As a company, our ability to engage our clients in a collaborative process and bring strategic thinking to progressive design has been essential to Free Agency’s success.

Additionally, I am a sessional faculty member at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in the design degree program. Emily Carr has worked with both Tak and I to create a co-teaching environment that allows students to develop their senior thesis projects under both our direction. Recently, the university has asked Tak and I to bring our creative business philosophy to the Professional Practice Management class. Our relationship with the University has been an important part of our development. It has given us an opportunity to nurture young Vancouver talent and we’ve been able to bring the best of this talent to Free Agency to continue their growth as designers. Free Agency has also engaged in partnership with Emily Carr that allows students to apply their research findings to real world projects.

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Featured Vancouverites: Don Williams and Tak Yukawa

Featured Vancouverite: Clayton Pettifer

by Ehren Seeland in Vancouverites on December 3, 2013

Hometown: North Vancouver, British Columbia

How long have you been a Vancouverite? Born and Raised (35 Years)

Occupation:
I am the Senior Chef for the Cactus Restaurant Group, currently overseeing our newest and largest location at the Jack Poole Plaza in Coal Harbour.

Best place to shop for foodie related items in Vancouver:
We’re really luck in Vancouver to have a dynamic food scene with great vendors. Some of my favourites include Granville Island for fresh vegetables and fruit, seafood and bread; Save on Meats for steaks, ribs and in-house-made sausages; and Bosa Foods for any cheese, pasta and unique Italian ingredients.

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Featured Vancouverite: Clayton Pettifer