Celebrating Women in Business!

Here are two great events happening in Vancouver next week, both celebrating women, that I am excited to share with you. If you know of any other events, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear about more!

The 10th Annual Business in Vancouver's Influential Women in Business Awards luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 4, at The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver. I am excited to attend to celebrate the success of women in business in BC, and hear from this year's honorees, who will be impressive, I am quite sure. Carole Taylor, Former Finance Minister of BC and BC MLA, is this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Visit Business in Vancouver’s website, for a list of all honorees.

I am proud to be a part of this event as the award sponsor, and am looking forward to being inspired by all the women attending.

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs’ Gala 2009 is Celebrating Women in Sport. The dinner celebration is Monday, March 2, from 5:30 – 10:00 pm, also at Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, featuring inspiring words from The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, and athletes like Silken Laumann, Catriona Le May Doan and Lilo Ljubisic. Visit FWE's website for more information.

Come join us if you can!
Janet

The Olympics are coming, indeed!

Photo credit: iwona_kellie on Flickr

On Sunday, my family went to check out the brand new Richmond Olympic Oval. This multi-use facility in Richmond, a suburb just south of Vancouver, will be hosting all of the Olympic Long Track Speed Skating events, (12 events in total), in February 2010.

I was looking forward to seeing the contemporary design and details of the building, knowing sustainable materials were used. Hearing that there would also be some unique public art, free skating for the kids, fun vendors, live entertainment, I thought, “why not? Let’s go check it out.” After all, how often can I justify eating mini donuts for breakfast?

Well, it was more than I could have imagined.

I was blown away from the start- how the volunteers and police directed traffic (hundreds of cars, and people on foot) to the venue was impressive alone. As we walked to the building, the impressive blue exterior with the signature giant rings reminded me that yes, the Olympics are really coming! It was reminiscent of my first visit to Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower, and saying to myself, "yes, Janet you are in Paris!"

Photo credit: iwona_kellie on Flickr

The building, from a design point of view in particular, is stunning. It is situated on the river waterfront, the contemporary wave roof was made using pine beetle wood, and the public art and use of water and natural plants are all outstanding. More information on the design of the building, the artwork, all the details around its progressive sustainability, as well as its many features and uses, can be found on the City of Richmond website, here.

The vibe of the day was like a snowy Christmas morning in a small town with, young, older, older, all smiling talking and celebrating, a real sense of community! As the boys slept in the car on the way home, I smiled to myself, as I remembered, I didn't eat any mini donuts!
Janet

Happy One-Year Countdown!

Photo from public domain, courtesy of Wikipedia

We are one year away from Vancouver hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and are so excited. The next year is going to be big!



Visit our blog regularly for our tips around the games (better yet, subscribe to our blog to be the first to know!), and check out these links to keep up with the celebrations:

Vancouver 2010 Official site

Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad


To the Games,
Janet

Circle the date – 1 week until the One Year Countdown to Vancouver, 2010!

Alder stools measure approximately 19" - 38" diameter and 12" - 28" high.
Photography by Jon Benjamin

The most famous of circles, as well as most well traveled, the Olympic rings are coming to Vancouver on February 12, 2010, celebrating the winter Olympics.

I see circles in design everywhere these days, and it makes perfect sense for recognition. Circles represent unity, collaboration, and friendliness- think globes and discussion roundtables. Circles show up in many places in nature, and are a design classic commonly used in corporate logos, as well as many Vancouver landmarks, like the BC Place Stadium and TELUS World of Science, which we can see outside our studio windows.

Here are a few of my favorite circles in Vancouver/Whistler:

• Created from fallen or previously harvested alder trees, the tables shown above are a contemporary west coast accessory perfect for a home, office, or your hospitality suite. http://www.janethelm.com/PDFS/Canadian_Furniture_JHrtg.pdf
  
• When in Whistler, I am always guaranteed a good work out with my friend Monique. Perhaps not a perfect circle but a good run around the Valley Loop Trail in Whistler, Old Mill Road around Lost Lake Loop then out Upper and Lower Panorama is an absolutely breathtaking example of our west coast beauty. Click here for more information on Whistler’s great winter Cross Country trails.


• TELUS World of Science and Science World – the iconic geodesic dome at the east end of False Creek - get dirty, messy in this ‘please touch’ environment that is awesome for kids and adults alike. For current exhibition click here.


• The Vancouver 2010 site is essential for what is happening and upcoming in our city and province. http://www.vancouver2010.com/


• Globes, globe awards, and round awards are full of symbolism for corporate events and are a unique alternative to standard awards and plaques. Contact us about commissioned globes in corporate colours and hand blown custom pieces.

To circles,

Janet