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!

Christabel Shaler

 

Christabel began writing for the Vancouver Observer after she took a writing workshop with Linda Solomon in February 2009. The @EthicalHustle is a series of stories about creative solutions to personal, social and economic struggle. For more information, please visit: www.christabelshaler.com

Can we mend thousands of years of displaced history in Vancouver?

On Thursday January 22nd, reporters gathered to capture the story of the three-site exhibit c̓əsnaʔəm: the city before the city. The exhibits acknowledge thousands of years of culture that...

The emergent landscapes of B.C.'s music festivals

 The BC music festival industry is significant. It is a multi-million dollar influx of annual revenue that creates value for our tourism sector and local creative economy. In BC, there is a...

Can we afford to lose Vancouver's historic Hollywood Theatre?

Although our city is one of the youngest urban centres on our continent, we have some incredible pieces of multi-generational history. As the oldest family-run theatre in North America, an evening at...

Healing while living and dying in Vancouver

In the world of end-of-life care in Vancouver BC, an interesting intersection exists between bureaucratic policies and New Age gurus selling answers to life’s heartaches. Sue Hurd and Sue Wong have...

Risks of senior isolation in British Columbia and new solutions

On August 28th, news reporters in British Columbia distributed the disturbing story of an elderly man who died after falling in his home. The man who fell was discovered by a concerned caretaker, who...

Women Changemakers Recharge at Confluence Retreat

Lisa Gibson and Darcy Riddell understand that women working for change can be at risk of being over-extended and burnt out. This depletion can occur from working long hours while juggling motherhood...

Sharing history over high tea

“Now make sure that the tea isn’t anemic,” said Graeme as she plated fresh cookies from the bakery down the street. She looked elegant in a cool turquoise colour that matched the rest of her outfit...

Five tips for surviving caregiving in Canada

When someone you love is suffering, it is easy to feel worn down, angry and defeated. As you confront the daunting walls of medical bureaucracy, it may seem impossible to go on.  Remember that...

Better home support for dying patients in Vancouver would improve hospital wait times

Dorothy sits across from me at Calhoun’s on West Broadway in Vancouver, BC. Her eyes are bright and relentlessly honest. Although slight creases in her face suggest her age, she seems light. Her...

Can a network health care tool prevent caregiver burnout and patient isolation?

When I discovered Tyze in 2011, I was able to shift out of an isolated reality of caregiving and build a network of support that functioned as a lifeline.