16 Mar
Vancouver Tours Blog

ESL Book Review – Vancouver Stories

This simple, 50 -page book will give adult students a real grounding in Vancouver's past. It tells the stories behind four places whose names become known to anyone who spends time in Vancouver: Granville Island, Kitsilano, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Deadman's Island.

Although it's meant for literacy students, it can also help adult ESL students feel more at home in the city, whether they've settled there or are just there to study.

Most of the stories begin in the late nineteenth century, when Granville Street was a loggers' skid road, the width of a wagon. Of course, the city has changed greatly in some ways since then – in others, not so much. Political squabbles, Native land claims, and the homeless have been issues right from the beginning.

The book is written at a level suitable for upper intermediate to advanced students. The text is broken into sections with subheadings, which should probably be assigned one at time so students aren't overloaded with facts. It's illustrated with vintage photos. A separate workbook is available, but the text can stand on its own as the basis for a reading activity.

The subject matter, in places, is really only suitable for adults or mature adolescents. For example, one story tells how the city squabbled with the federal government over Deadman's Island, which meanwhile was being used as a quarantine station:

While the arguments went on, the island became a kind of "red light district" where the quarantined prostitutes, sailors and others were having quite a party.

The party's since been let out of quarantine, and maybe it's never really stopped. See what your students think.

Vancouver Stories: Places in its History, by Rene Merkel and Don Richardson, was published by the Province of BC in 1998. It is available from the Vancouver Community College bookstore (King Edward campus).

Source by Jane Wangersky

10 Mar
Vancouver Tours Blog

ESL Book Review – Vancouver Stories

This simple, 50 -page book will give adult students a real grounding in Vancouver's past. It tells the stories behind four places whose names become known to anyone who spends time in Vancouver: Granville Island, Kitsilano, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Deadman's Island.

Although it's meant for literacy students, it can also help adult ESL students feel more at home in the city, whether they've settled there or are just there to study.

Most of the stories begin in the late nineteenth century, when Granville Street was a loggers' skid road, the width of a wagon. Of course, the city has changed greatly in some ways since then – in others, not so much. Political squabbles, Native land claims, and the homeless have been issues right from the beginning.

The book is written at a level suitable for upper intermediate to advanced students. The text is broken into sections with subheadings, which should probably be assigned one at time so students aren't overloaded with facts. It's illustrated with vintage photos. A separate workbook is available, but the text can stand on its own as the basis for a reading activity.

The subject matter, in places, is really only suitable for adults or mature adolescents. For example, one story tells how the city squabbled with the federal government over Deadman's Island, which meanwhile was being used as a quarantine station:

While the arguments went on, the island became a kind of "red light district" where the quarantined prostitutes, sailors and others were having quite a party.

The party's since been let out of quarantine, and maybe it's never really stopped. See what your students think.

Vancouver Stories: Places in its History, by Rene Merkel and Don Richardson, was published by the Province of BC in 1998. It is available from the Vancouver Community College bookstore (King Edward campus).

Source by Jane Wangersky

10 Mar
Vancouver Tours Blog

A Book Review: Tell the Truth – The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People Will Metzger

Will Metzger of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, begins his treat remembering us of the Apostle Paul's declaration that he had "not shunned to declare out to you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:27). As a new believer he began to question the salesmanship approach to evangelism. Why would we borrow a format when God's Word gives us all we need to evangelize our friends, families and others?

In his section on "The Whole Gospel," Metzger discussed the terms "evangelism,"

"witness," and "soul-winning." He concludes by reminding his readers that "The chief end of man" is not to be a soul-winner, but "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." (Westminster Catechism). This is not said to speak lightly of "soul-winning" but rather to distinguish the two terms (soul-winning; glorifying God). They are not synonymous. Luke 24: 44-48 relates a time when Christ tapped his disciples from the Scriptures and His Work on the cross leading to repentance and remission of sins. We are to be witnesses of these things. In a court of law, a witness gives an eyewitness account of the truth regarding the event in question.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones studied the Word of God, especially the Book of Acts, the Epistles, and the Life of Christ. Also, we can learn from Church history, especially during those times of revival. From his study, Lloyd-Jones came to the following concluding:

  1. The main goal in evangelism is to glorify God, not to save souls.
  2. The work of the Holy Spirit, not our own strength produces results.
  3. Only through the Scriptures does the Spirit work.
  4. These truths give us the true motivation for evangelism – a zeal for God and a love of others.
  5. Beware, heresy is a constant danger.

Metzger contrasts man-centered and God-centered efforts in evangelism in the areas of the view of God, view of humanity, view of Christ and view of response to Christ. For example, the point of contact in the man-centered view of God is that God loves the individual. On the other hand, the God-centered view presents God as the individual's creator with authority in his life. Will Metzger presents the dangers of truncating the Gospel in some simple package and preferred method-centered evangelism over message-centered.

In the chapter, The Gospel Recovered, Metzger fleshes out his previous outline with more details and Scriptures. God is presented as Creator and Redeemer; Man is presented as the Sinful Creature; Christ is presented as the merciful redeemer; and finally, Our necessary response to be united to Christ.

In section two, "To the Whole Person: Conversion of the Total Person," Metzger quotes I Thessalonians 1: 4-10, pointing out that believers in Thessalonica had turned from idols to Christ and those around could see the difference in their lives. Our author reminds us that when the whole gospel is not declared there results many professors, not possessors. To the mind, the whole Gospel informs and humbles the mind rather than produce intellectualism. To the emotions, the whole gospel shows love and touches the heart, not producing mere emotionalism. To the will, the whole Gospel invites, persuades and claims allegiance to a new master, not appeal natural desires

Finally, in the third section, "Offered by Whole People: Character and Communication in Witnessing," the author discusses the normal Christian evangelist and how to communicate privately with others. Throughout the book, Metzger uses Scriptures to drive his conclusions. He provides worksheets or study guides for different topics present in the book. Whatever you agree with everything Metzger writes, his book provides a good study guide for any Christian wanting to obey Christ in this very important area of ​​life.

Source by Maggie Dail

08 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

How to Contact Comic Book Artists and Writers

The first annual New York Comic-con brought out Milla Jovovich and was so successful, organizers almost had to shut it down. The second annual New York Comic-con was organized much better, even bringing out Steven King and Stan Lee to meet fans.

Below are some more insider tips for contacting your favorite comic book artists and writers at various comic book conventions around the country…

Meeting in Person:

Although most comic book creators, artists, and writers will tell you where to send fan mail inside their publications, the comic book industry also takes great pains to make itself available to their fan base through conventions, expos, and fan events.

The general rule of thumb is if you wait a while, a comic convention (or “comic-con”) is likely to be announced in your area, and the organizers will make all sorts of promises as to who will be there (most of whom won’t show up). Buy your ticket anyway, and take a few hundred bucks and a good Sharpie pen — because even if the people who show up aren’t the people promised, they’ll most likely be worth meeting.

Most comic conventions today go far beyond only comic books. They often feature actors, directors, television stars, set designers, comic artists, writers, and an assortment of retro names that will have you scratching your head trying to remember who they were. The show will usually charge around $25 for a ticket, but the attractions will last all day long, from rare film screenings to autograph sessions to bootleg comics for sale. Most conventions travel around the country so fans don’t have to spend any money to travel.

What should you bring to get signed? Nothing really, unless you know someone is going to be there and you have some great piece of memorabilia sitting around relevant to that person. Usually there are plenty of items for sale at comic conventions you can purchase to have signed.

Prices at convention’s vendor booths are usually not cheap, however you can pick up some really neat pieces of pop culture memorabilia if you look hard enough, and the chance to get that item signed by its creator can be something really special.

Comic book conventions and the comics themselves are a huge industry that gets bigger every year. Therefore, comic-cons are a great place to spot up and coming stars before their signatures becomes worth thousands of dollars when they really hit it big.

How do you find a comic convention I your area? It’s pretty easy — just visit the Comic Book Conventions Web site. This resource list all upcoming comic-cons, usually four or five per weekend, and it also announces changes to programming, cancellation, and contact information.

The better conventions come back the same time every year, such as the Mid-Ohio-Con, which takes places in Columbus, Ohio on Thanksgiving weekend. The 2004 Mid-Ohio-Con lineup included the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld and Noel Neill, the original TV Lois Lane, as well as numerous other comic industry names.

The Vancouver Comic-Con happens once every few months, while Dragon-Con takes place each September. Every corner of the country has some sort of gathering, but even if you have to get in the car and drive a few hours to a really good-size convention near you, the money spent in doing so can be gained back when you take that authentic John Byrne sketch and put it up for auction on eBay.

The big names of the comic convention business include the following:

San Diego Comic-Con International, P.O. Box 128458, San Diego, CA 92112-8458, 619-491-2475

The biggest and the best, Comic-Con has become a brand name in the business. Tens of thousands of enthusiasts gather every year, some flying in from across the country to listen to panels of experts, get autographs, buy memorabilia, watch special screenings of movies, and just hang out.

Dragon*Con, P.O. Box 16459, Atlanta, GA 30321-0459, 770-909-0115

A solid number two, Dragon*Con takes on more of a fantasy tilt–but it’s not just for Dungeons and Dragons fanatics. D*C gets bigger every year, and as the collectors grow from obsessed teenagers to well-funded adult fans, the money going through the registers keeps increasing as well.

Big Apple Comic Convention, 75-34 Metropolitan Avenue, New York, NY 11379, 201-865-3288

This one is in New York City, so of course it’s big. If you live in the northeast, the Big Apple Con is the one for you.

Mid-Obio-Con, P.O. Box 3831, Mansfield, OH 44907, 419-526-1427

The Midwest really knows how to put on a show, and M-O-C always has an interesting lineup of names. It’s not the biggest comic-con around, but it’s got a reputation as one of the best.

Mega-Con, P.O. Box 1097, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, 727-796-5725

New York Comic-con, Jacob Javiz Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, 1-888-605-6059

Sending Fan Mail:

To write your favorite comic book artist, look for his or her fan mail address printed in the comic book. Or send your letter to the comic book publisher, whose address will also appear inside the book.

Visit Contact Any Celebrity for instant access to the best mailing address, agent, manager, publicist, production company, and charitable cause for your favorite comic book artists and writers.

Source by Jordan McAuley