In the News

Local dudes Gary Bock and Jim Mains have a new Vancouver Side video out, “The Christmas Gift,” in which they get schooled by Santa on the meaning of holiday.
During their quest to find Christmas in the Couv, they visit with editor Lou Brancaccio, AKA the “Curmudgeon of The Columbian,” who they are surprised to find was infused with holiday spirit.
(I didn’t watch this when it was filmed on Tuesday. I was advised by co-workers who sit near Lou’s...

There are good blogs and bad blogs. And then there is The Vancouver Side.
OK, it's a good blog — but I like it because it's fun. Along the way, it informs us on neat community events, local businesses and our friendly politicians.
Community conquistadors Jim Mains and Gary Bock do the heavy lifting here. They venture into the nooks and crannies of our neighborhoods with a permanent smile and a zest for all things good.
I made a cameo appearance in their latest video. (If...

As someone who grew up attending Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church and obviously attending the Sausage Fest every year, I get a little annoyed with the jokes about the name of the Fest.
I mean, c’mon, my daughters were baptized at that church.
So I threw up a little in my mouth when I finally watched the latest “Vancouver Side” video bylocal dudes Jim Mains and Gary Bock.
Jim grew up a good Catholic (Gary is an Episcopalian, or “Catholic lite” as...