After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Emily Barca

Emily Barca is a former associate editor at VO. She has a degree in sociology, anthropology and French from McGill University. After living in Vancouver for fifteen years, Emily has returned to live and work in London, England. She loves tea but can't stand taking the tube.

 

Recent gang violence strengthens Sean Bickerton's resolve to oppose casino expansion at B.C. Place

The gang-related shootings last weekend highlight the dangers of outside criminal influences infiltrating the city, according to anti-casino activist Sean Bickerton.

Should Rich Coleman be responsible for promoting and regulating gaming?

Solicitor General Rich Coleman, the minister in charge of managing gaming in B.C., is also in charge of investigating gaming-related crimes. Some see  Coleman's double appointments as a conflict...

Justin Bieber won't be charged with assault in Richmond

Canadian teen pop sensation Justin Bieber has avoided criminal charges after a 12-year-old boy accused him of punching him in the face at a Richmond Laser Tag Park, according to RadarOnline. "This...

FoodTree brings food back to its roots

Chef Anthony Nicalo's relationship to food changed during a trip to Italy. To teach Nicalo and his friend, another chef, about charcuterie and sausage making, their host Renato Fenocchio showed them...

Mayor Robertson "outraged" by weekend gang shooting

Mayor Gregor Robertson spoke out against the gang-related weekend shooting this morning, calling the assault "despicable" and "scary." At a City Hall press conference he said that Vancouver Police...

Big casinos are bad for local business: Donald Trump

Supporters of the Las Vegas-style casino at B.C. Place argue that an expansion in gaming will create new jobs and lead to economic growth in the province. It's a flawed argument, according to real...

Tyee and Arsenal Pulp Press kick-start the holidays

It was the Tyee/Arsenal Pulp Press holiday party and the humour was as sharp as the writers, editors and publishers in attendance. Everything was off the record. Almost...

False Creek Residents Association votes against BC Place casino

Last Wednesday, the False Creek Residents Association (FCRA) voted unanimously to oppose the expansion and relocation of Edgewater Casino to B.C. Place. They join a growing list of community and arts

Winter in the Downtown East Side

A young woman stood under the awning of a darkened store, holding a needle close to her wrist. Her red jacket hung open and she staggered a little in the grey slush pooling at her feet. Meters away...

First United Church, Union Gospel Mission, Citywide Housing Coalition, and Kerry Jang on state of homeless during cold wave

Since the cold snap hit,  First United Church and Union Gospel Mission have each seen an increase in numbers. The number of guests at First United Church increased from around 250 to 300...