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Travis Lupick

In one capacity or another, Travis Luck has been associated with the newspaper since he was 15 years old. Having joined the Straight's editorial department in 2006, Travis quickly gained a reputation as the office's resident workaholic and hopeless caffeine junkie. Despite his denials, many staff suspected that he often slept at the office.

In his own words, Travis is a writer, news junkie, obsessed with music, and doesn't sleep very much.

An avid traveler, Travis is currently working with Journalists for Human Rights as a rights media print intern for the Daily Times in Blantyre, Malawi. He continues as a contributing writer with the Straight, albeit from halfway around the world.

You can reach Travis by email at t_lupick@straight.com. Or, you can connect with him on Twitter, Flickr or keep up with his blog at tlupic.com.

Young guide gives an unorthodox tour of Nepal's charms

Young guide gives an unorthodox tour of Nepal's charms

By Travis Lupick | September 21, 2011
A 15-minute cab ride to the outskirts of Kathmandu sits a charming town’s quiet cobblestone alleys and mysterious temples and shrines.
CNN Hero Marie da Silva lives up to her billing by helping orphans with AIDS

CNN Hero Marie da Silva lives up to her billing by helping orphans with AIDS

By Travis Lupick | August 21, 2011
A Vancouver journalist sees with his own eyes that the Jacaranda Foundation provides loving care and education for disadvantaged kids in Malawi.
North Vancouver journalist Dorothy Parvaz free from Syrian custody

North Vancouver journalist Dorothy Parvaz free from Syrian custody

By Travis Lupick | May 18, 2011
North Vancouver journalist Dorothy Parvaz is free from Syrian custody and on her way back to British Columbia, Al Jazeera English reports.
National happiness—and the odd arrow—soar in Bhutan

National happiness—and the odd arrow—soar in Bhutan

By Travis Lupick | March 22, 2011
In Bhutan, archery is the national sport. But that doesn’t mean the game is played safely.
Photos: Bhutan, a jewel in the mountains

Photos: Bhutan, a jewel in the mountains

By Travis Lupick | March 22, 2011
From Thimphu's surrounding peaks to the wide-open valley of Haa, Bhutan is a country that takes your breath away.
Photos: Egypt's 2005 pro-democracy demonstration in Cairo

Photos: Egypt's 2005 pro-democracy demonstration in Cairo

By Travis Lupick | February 4, 2011
We are watching a revolution unfold in Egypt. But it is not one born in 2011.
2010 Year in Review: Pinching the powerful

2010 Year in Review: Pinching the powerful

Many politicians will want to forget 2010, which has been the year that some received their just desserts.
Iraq war resister Rodney Watson stuck in limbo for the holidays

Iraq war resister Rodney Watson stuck in limbo for the holidays

By Travis Lupick | December 23, 2010
Rodney Watson, his wife, Natasha, and their son, Jordan, are celebrating the holidays in an unlikely setting for a young family.
Olympics may have forced EnCana pipeline arrest

Olympics may have forced EnCana pipeline arrest

By Travis Lupick | December 22, 2010
An expert in radical environmentalism suspects that Olympic security requirements forced the RCMP’s hand in the January arrest of Wiebo Ludwig.
Vancouver nurse wants her friend out of Haitian prison

Vancouver nurse wants her friend out of Haitian prison

By Travis Lupick | December 22, 2010
Since Rose Patterson returned to Vancouver from Haiti on December 15, she’s done nothing but worry.
Vancouver Olympics security needs stretched law enforcement: Wikileaks U.S. embassy cable

Vancouver Olympics security needs stretched law enforcement: Wikileaks U.S. embassy cable

By Travis Lupick | December 21, 2010
Security requirements related to the 2010 Winter Olympics spread B.C. law enforcement agencies critically thin, the latest Wikileaks cable reveals.
Vancouver's Olympic Village likely brought down NPA: Wikileaks U.S. embassy cable

Vancouver's Olympic Village likely brought down NPA: Wikileaks U.S. embassy cable

By Travis Lupick | December 21, 2010
The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver credited the Olympic Village’s financial woes with Vision Vancouver’s November 2008 win over the NPA, the latest Wikileaks cables reveal.
Stephen Harper Senate appointee thinks being gay is a choice, report says

Stephen Harper Senate appointee thinks being gay is a choice, report says

By Travis Lupick | December 20, 2010
In January 2008, Reverend Don Meredith told Xtra that he believes a person’s sexual orientation is a choice.
Stephen Harper’s religion clouds aid in Afghanistan

Stephen Harper’s religion clouds aid in Afghanistan

By Travis Lupick | December 16, 2010
The former head of Canada’s aid program in Afghanistan has expressed concern that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s religious beliefs are hampering humanitarian efforts.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg beats Wikileaks' Julian Assange to be named Time's person of the year

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg beats Wikileaks' Julian Assange to be named Time's person of the year

By Travis Lupick | December 15, 2010
Time magazine has named Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg its person of the year.
Update: After being granted bail, London court says Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will not be immediately released

Update: After being granted bail, London court says Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will not be immediately released

By Travis Lupick | December 14, 2010
After granting Julian Assange bail, a British judge has ruled that the Wikileaks founder will remain in jail for at least another 48 hours.
Taiwan animation sees former Harper aide Tom Flanagan take aim at WikiLeaks's Julian Assange

Taiwan animation sees former Harper aide Tom Flanagan take aim at WikiLeaks's Julian Assange

By Travis Lupick | December 9, 2010
A former aide to Prime Minister Stephen Harper is depicted firing a bazooka at the founder of the whistleblower website.
Temper Trap brings a warm and fuzzy feeling to a cold Vancouver night

Temper Trap brings a warm and fuzzy feeling to a cold Vancouver night

By Travis Lupick | December 8, 2010
Last night at the Commodore the Temper Trap served up a set of soul pop warmer than grandpa’s brandy.
Wikileaks, Assange remarks prompt Calgary police to open file on former Harper aide Tom Flanagan

Wikileaks, Assange remarks prompt Calgary police to open file on former Harper aide Tom Flanagan

By Travis Lupick | December 6, 2010
The Calgary Police Service has announced that it has opened a file on Tom Flanagan, a former aide to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Burmese Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi delivers message to Canada

Burmese Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi delivers message to Canada

By Travis Lupick | December 3, 2010
Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has thanked Canada for having "never faltered in its support for the democracy movement in Burma."
Did a single poll sink Gordon Campbell?

Did a single poll sink Gordon Campbell?

By Travis Lupick | December 2, 2010
In the weeks preceding Gordon Campbell’s resignation as B.C. premier, the number nine was everywhere.
The Black Angels twitch through trippy Vancouver set

The Black Angels twitch through trippy Vancouver set

By Travis Lupick | December 1, 2010
Something was distracting a couple members of the Black Angels Tuesday night.
Matisyahu wishes you a happy Hanukkah

Matisyahu wishes you a happy Hanukkah

By Travis Lupick | December 1, 2010
A holiday message from the coolest Jew in the word.
Black Mountain takes Vancouver on a tour of the other side

Black Mountain takes Vancouver on a tour of the other side

By Travis Lupick | December 1, 2010
At a sold-out show at the Commodore on November 30, local psych rockers Black Mountain embraced the good vibrations.
Google targets alternative press, censors PrisonPlanet and InfoWars: Alex Jones

Google targets alternative press, censors PrisonPlanet and InfoWars: Alex Jones

By Travis Lupick | November 30, 2010
A prominent U.S. political commentator has claimed that Google and YouTube are censoring various outlets from which the radio host broadcasts information.
Grinderman tickets for Commodore show to be available at the door

Grinderman tickets for Commodore show to be available at the door

By Travis Lupick | November 26, 2010
It has just been announced that a “limited amount” of tickets for this long sold-out show will be available at the door.
Vancouver snowstorm not expected to last

Vancouver snowstorm not expected to last

By Travis Lupick | November 25, 2010
To the relief of commuters and disappointment of schoolchildren, the early blast of winter is not anticipated to last long.
Amid cholera outbreak, Haitians display frustration with United Nations

Amid cholera outbreak, Haitians display frustration with United Nations

By Travis Lupick | November 23, 2010
A local advocate for Haiti says that recent clashes between Haitians and United Nations forces are typical of what he described as the UN’s controversial presence in the country.
New York Times shines light on Vancouver as "major coal loading location"

New York Times shines light on Vancouver as "major coal loading location"

By Travis Lupick | November 22, 2010
Under Gordon Campbell's stewardship, B.C. has quietly grown to become one of world’s leading export regions for coal.
Video: Dead Ghosts opens a can of worms at the Biltmore

Video: Dead Ghosts opens a can of worms at the Biltmore

By Travis Lupick | November 20, 2010
A mess of wiggly young people waving their heads around like stoned bobble heads.
Video: Thee Oh Sees make a beast of the Biltmore crowd

Video: Thee Oh Sees make a beast of the Biltmore crowd

By Travis Lupick | November 20, 2010
On my way to the Biltmore last night, I was pretty damn curious about what was to unfold.
Photos: Honduran children benefit from Vancouver-raised funds

Photos: Honduran children benefit from Vancouver-raised funds

By Travis Lupick | November 19, 2010
If you subscribe to the notion that a photo is worth a thousand words, this collection of images taken in Honduras by West Vancouver resident Ian Rose says a lot.
Sima Samar calls attention to Afghan women in crossfire

Sima Samar calls attention to Afghan women in crossfire

By Travis Lupick | November 18, 2010
Nine years after the overthrow of the Taliban, the women of Afghanistan continue to fight for basic human rights.
Documentary spends four days with Omar Khadr

Documentary spends four days with Omar Khadr

By Travis Lupick | November 18, 2010
Imagine you’re the prisoner of a foreign country’s military. You don’t know your rights, or indeed if you have any. You don’t even know where you are.
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival series gets the blood pumping

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival series gets the blood pumping

By Travis Lupick | November 17, 2010
A three-day cinematic event focusing on outdoor adventure will kick off at North Vancouver’s Centennial Theatre on November 23.
Burma’s military junta releases Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest

Burma’s military junta releases Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest

By Travis Lupick | November 13, 2010
Large crowds of cheering supporters reportedly flooded the streets around the democracy advocate’s home in Rangoon, Burma, where Suu Kyi has been detained by the ruling military junta for the last seven years.
Potential TEDxVancouver attendees asked to “get creative” with application form

Potential TEDxVancouver attendees asked to “get creative” with application form

By Travis Lupick | November 12, 2010
Those hoping to attend TEDxVancouver must fill out a lengthy application form.
RCMP takes issue with report comparing police-related deaths in B.C., Ontario

RCMP takes issue with report comparing police-related deaths in B.C., Ontario

By Travis Lupick | November 12, 2010
The RCMP has issued a media release stating that a recent B.C. Civil Liberties Association report on in-custody deaths contains “inaccurate” information.
Jack White lets slip a White Stripes reunion is in the works

Jack White lets slip a White Stripes reunion is in the works

By Travis Lupick | November 10, 2010
Ten full-length albums in 10 years and Jack White is showing no sign of slowing down.
Video: Aboriginal advocate says school closures part of gentrification trend in Vancouver

Video: Aboriginal advocate says school closures part of gentrification trend in Vancouver

By Travis Lupick | November 10, 2010
A Vancouver parent and urban aboriginal advocate says that the closures of schools should be seen within the broader context of gentrification.
At Whistler Blackcomb, Olympics leave legacy of mountainside thrills

At Whistler Blackcomb, Olympics leave legacy of mountainside thrills

By Travis Lupick | November 10, 2010
Whistler Blackcomb gets set to open some of the Winter Games’ most exciting facilities to the public.
Breaking the Silence documentary captures suffering in Burma's "dark zones"

Breaking the Silence documentary captures suffering in Burma's "dark zones"

By Travis Lupick | November 9, 2010
Many ethnic minority groups in Burma call the regions in which they live “dark zones”.
Aung San Suu Kyi: Burma's voice for democracy

Aung San Suu Kyi: Burma's voice for democracy

By Travis Lupick | November 4, 2010
As she prepares for her possible release from house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi keeps alive the fight for democracy in Burma.
Bestselling author to deliver talks on Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi in Vancouver

Bestselling author to deliver talks on Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi in Vancouver

By Travis Lupick | November 4, 2010
Alan Clements has spent more time with Suu Kyi than any other westerner.
Jodie Emery calls California marijuana vote a "step forward"

Jodie Emery calls California marijuana vote a "step forward"

By Travis Lupick | November 3, 2010
Jodie Emery, a Vancouver resident who’s a leading member of the legalization movement, told the Straight she doesn’t see the defeat at the polls as a failure.
Canadian Beverly Giesbrecht dead in Pakistan border region: report

Canadian Beverly Giesbrecht dead in Pakistan border region: report

By Travis Lupick | November 2, 2010
A West Vancouver woman held by the Taliban has allegedly passed away in the border region of Pakistan-Afghanistan.
You Say Party releases video for “Lonely Lunch”

You Say Party releases video for “Lonely Lunch”

By Travis Lupick | October 28, 2010
Abbotsford dance punk troupe You Say Party has a slick new video out.
Addressing the province, Gordon Campbell makes his case for the HST

Addressing the province, Gordon Campbell makes his case for the HST

By Travis Lupick | October 27, 2010
The embattled premier announced cuts to provincial income taxes and defended the Liberal government's introduction of the harmonized sales tax.
British Columbia leads country in police-related deaths: report

British Columbia leads country in police-related deaths: report

By Travis Lupick | October 27, 2010
A new report states that more people die in B.C. jails or as a result of police action than in any other province in Canada.