Joseph Planta

'Lighting up the Past': photographer offers tour through Vancouver's history of neon signs In a city that once rivalled Las Vegas for neon lights, one museum is making sure Vancouver's vibrant history isn't forgotten.

‘Lighting up the Past’: photographer offers tour through Vancouver’s history of neon signs. @citynewsvancouver.bsky.social
vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/02/20/p...

Steve Burgess Podcast Episode · thecommentary.ca · February 18 · 30m

podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...

If I were to write a book, it would be a full-length biography of Norman Fell.

YouTube video by Sekeres & Price Jeff Paterson: Remembering the great Jim Robson.

This remembrance of Jim Robson by @jeffpaterson.bsky.social is just terrific. It's a radio fan, who's a terrific broadcaster and analyst in his own right, paying tribute to one of the best: youtu.be/ofpvy_XM5OI?...

And that line about the difference between the sentence and a line, has made me look at how I read poetry differently. So thanks for that.

Sorry for your loss, Rob. I didn't know her, but I spent time this afternoon to read those wonderful tributes. It made me sorry that I didn't know her.

YouTube video by Royal BC Museum Webster! Full Episode October 6, 1982

Here's an old Jack Webster show from 1982. It's the Canucks season opener, and Webster goes around the Pacific Coliseum before, during and after the game. His visit to the broadcast booth to see Jim Robson and Tom Larscheid, and of course Al Davidson, is delightful: youtu.be/3PWJn2lPCS4?...

Tonight, I'm reminded of those last few lines from Radio Days: "I've never forgotten any of those people or any of the voices we would hear on the radio. Though the truth is, with the passing of each New Year's Eve, those voices do seem to grow dimmer and dimmer."

And though I didn't listen to the Canucks broadcast, Jim Robson was a part of what a powerhouse CKNW was. Not to diminish Hughson and Shorthouse who followed him, when you'd listen to them, Robson's influence was and is right there.

As I became more politically aware, I'd listen to Rafe Mair and Bill Good and work through my own thoughts on current affairs.

And even at a young age, if the news at the top of the hour led with a George Garrett story, you knew it had to be important. As well, I seemingly understood that if you heard a name in Joy Metcalfe's Journal, they obviously meant something to the cultural life of the city.

If it was a school day, I'd wake up to Frosty, and then come home from school to Rick Honey, and then Till & McComb.

As a kid, I enjoyed Jack Cullen's Owl Prowl. The music and old radio shows were my jam as it were. Then as I got older, I stayed up late to listen to David Berner at midnight and that fascinating conversation he'd host with guests and callers alike.

A word on Jim Robson. I never met the guy, but by all accounts, like you've all read today, he was a lovely man. When I saw the news today that Robson died, my mind quickly went to radio and what a part CKNW played as I grew up.

Tonight, I'm reminded of those last few lines from Radio Days: "I've never forgotten any of those people or any of the voices we would hear on the radio. Though the truth is, with the passing of each New Year's Eve, those voices do seem to grow dimmer and dimmer."

And though I didn't listen to the Canucks broadcast, Jim Robson was a part of what a powerhouse CKNW was. Not to diminish Hughson and Shorthouse who followed him, when you'd listen to them, Robson's influence was and is right there.

As well, I seemingly understood that if you heard a name in Joy Metcalfe's Journal, they obviously meant something to the city cultural life of the city. As I became more politically aware, I'd listen to Rafe Mair and Bill Good and work through my own thoughts on current affairs.

If it was a school day, I'd wake up to Frosty, and then come home from school to Rick Honey, and then Till & McComb. And even at a young age, if the news at the top of the hour led with a George Garrett story, you knew it had to be important.

As a kid, I enjoyed Jack Cullen's Owl Prowl. The music and old radio shows were my jam as it were. Then as I got older, I stayed up late to listen to David Berner at midnight and that fascinating conversation he'd host with guests and callers alike.

Tumbler Ridge is a small planned resource community, a winding 90 minute drive from the nearest city of at least 10,000 people.

A massive number of people are going to descend there tomorrow.

May those that arrive have respect and grace for the unimaginable grief.

What the hell was this… at least I got it.

Connections
Puzzle #972
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Follow John…

(I couldn’t think of a better reference to Diefenbaker than that.)

Wordle 1,687 5/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I am reminded that it was 14 years ago this morning that I was in a Downtown Vancouver courtroom for jury duty. My number was drawn but I had to tell the judge why I couldn't. I had interviewed the defendant on the very book he was being sued for defamation on. The judge smiled & said I was excused.

Yeah I’ve looked into this and plan on applying in March, and whatever happens I’ll get the money together and get somebody to build it.

How long have they been using the James Bond theme song every time the Canucks draw a penalty?

I'm interested in putting up one of those free libraries in my neighbourhood. Those of you with experience, how much would one cost to have built?

I can't be the only Vancouverite who's seen the Butain Insurance logo and think it's called Bunrain.

Spring After Spring reveals how a family legacy endures through generational differences and grief - Pancouver Jon Chiang says that his award-winning documentary, Spring After Spring, is really about profound and universal family relationships.

Spring After Spring reveals how a family legacy endures through generational differences and grief. This emotionally charged documentary's theatrical debut is at the VIFF Centre on Feb. 6. @viffest.bsky.social @joeplanta.bsky.social pancouver.ca/spring-after...

There’s nothing like a friend excitedly texting you of an online ad for a box of hundreds of buttons, only to click on it and see it’s sewing buttons, not the shit you collect.