In the picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words department, check out this pic I took yesterday on Howe Street near the Vancouver Art Gallery…
Cherry blossoms on Howe Street, Vancouver
Yup: those would be cherry blossoms.
In full bloom.
In Feburary .
It’s tough living here, but somebody has to do it…
Posted in environment | Tagged art gallery, cherry blossoms, spring, Vancouver, weather, winter | Leave a Comment »
As a self proclaimed Ambassador of Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, I feel a special kind of duty to show people from other countries some Canadian hospitality. For those I meet during Vancouver 2010, I want to have something to give them to remember me by as well as Canada. People visiting from other countries are going to judge Canada on what they see as well as by those they interact with. I want everyone to see that we live up to our international reputation of nice, polite people and Canada is a great place to live.
So this poses the question, what to give people I meet as a token of Canadianism? And where am I to buy such items since I am funding a trip that is the most expensive I have ever been on and need to save money not spend it. I got the brilliant idea to check out my friendly neighbourhood dollar store. I knew they had Canada branded products and really, where was I going to find anything cheaper than a dollar store? I’ve found stickers, pens, pencils, key chains, hats and socks. Now I didn’t buy all of that but I did buy some stuff that I will be bringing to Vancouver with me. I also found a few small Canada flag pins at a gift shop. I also wanted to bring Toronto pins, if I could find them.
Flag Walk buttons
I found out that Flag Walk buttons (not pins) are being sold and my contact has graciously allowed me to put an order in for these. They were reasonably priced and I’ve ordered a bunch of Canada ones, as well as a few other countries for my family. I actually like these better than pins because they are bigger and it is easier to see the Canadian flag. Hopefully my new international friends won’t mind that they are buttons and not pins.
I was starting to get very frustrated over locating Canada flag lapel pins to buy. In a year where an event as huge as the Olympics is taking place in Canada, you wouldn’t think they would be so hard to find. I was about to give up when a very smart person, genius actually, left a comment on my blog. They told me they had emailed their City Hall and government officials and were getting pins from them. I looked up all the contact information for my area and sent off emails to see what would happen. I am happy to report that they have provided me with a small supply of Canada flag lapel pins that I can give away in Vancouver. The City of Toronto is also sending me pins so I have something to represent my hometown which makes me very happy. Today my MPP’s office confirmed they have Ontario pins they can give me so I’ll have those too! I’ll probably be heading back to the dollar stores to stock up on stickers. I wouldn’t think children from other countries would be too impressed with pins so I’m going to give them Canada stickers.
Canada flag lapel pins, Toronto pins and Canada stickers
Here is the inventory of what I have to give away to visitors or even my fellow Canadians: 60 Canada flag lapel pins, 50 City of Toronto pins, 20 Canada stickers, 30 Ontario pins, 22 Flag Walk buttons – Canada, and my business card with my blog addresses and email. Hey, I want people to be able to stay in touch! Do you think that is enough stuff? If there is anything you think I am missing, let me know.
Are you bringing anything to the Olympics to give out to people you meet, maybe to trade as you wait for your event to begin? If you are I would love to hear about it. Leave a comment to share with all of us.
Posted in Olympics | Tagged 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Flag Walk, Olympics, pins, Vancouver 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Power Smart Village, the unofficial sustainability hub for the 2010 Winter Games, will thrive on people power. It’s a free, interactive gathering place in downtown Vancouver that will deliver fun and insight into living greener in B.C.
Tour an energy-efficient Home of the Future, or join the cheering as Games events are broadcast live on a 65-inch energy-efficient TV. Get creative with their digital Expression Wall. Create electricity – literally – on their sustainable dance floor.
Our friends at BC Hydro Power Smart Village have donated a pair of tickets to Figure Skating on Feb 16. To be eligible, post a comment below telling us which events and pavilions you are most looking forward to visiting. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by email.
Feb 08 Update – a winner has been randomly selected. Congratulations Kathy!
Check out their website to see everything they’ve got going on – http://www.powersmartvillage.com/powering-the-games.html
Posted in Olympics, contests | 168 Comments »
This is the third installment of our series on diving near Vancouver. This time Stephen visits Ansell Point.
Ansell Point is a gem of a dive site, located about two kilometers north of Whtytecliffe Park en route to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway. Look for the Ansell Road turn-off and after exiting and crossing the overpass take the first street on your left which is called Citrus Wynd. Follow it down and to the right to a cull-de-sac where you can park and suit up.
The most challenging part of the dive is getting down to the water. The staircase is sturdy and well built but its 65 steps in total. You may not know that climbing down but I guarantee that your legs will feel it when climbing back up after a successful dive. If you’re planning two dives leave your gear at the bottom of the stairs and just replace your tanks.
Ease of access to the water is pretty straight forward, particularly during high tide, and the depth drops off fairly quickly, bottoming out at 30-35 meters. This is a wall dive with the most interesting typography to the right as you enter the water. Look for all kinds of life in the crevices, nooks and crannies. There are rumored to be wolf eels but I have yet to see them.
One point of interest to the diver’s left as you enter the water is a wall cutting at about 20 meters that goes back into the cliff about 4-5 meters. It tends to be a gathering place for rockfish and ling cod and is a good place to begin your dive. I tend to start there before continuing on with the rest of my dive.
Navigation is pretty easy and current is fairly nominal. I’ve seen fishing line so it’s always good to keep a knife handy just in case. There are no facilities.
And don’t be surprised if you have the entire site to yourself. It’s a little out of the way and because of that often gets overlooked. It’s a great two tank dive though and one that I enjoy visiting on a regular basis.
Nudibranch
Anemones
Purple Stars
Suited up...
Posted in diving, things to do | 5 Comments »
Pulled the night shift at the Vancouver 2010 Main Press Centre at Canada Place last night and the most common query from the international journalists was “Where can we get a great view of the city?” 
Good question and probably of interest to more than just media. Here are my Top 10 places to scope the city during the 2010 Winter Games–feel free to add yours!
Posted in Olympics, dining, family, things to do | Tagged city views, Top 10, Vancouver, vantage points, viewpoints | 4 Comments »
“In 2010, the eyes of the world will be on Vancouver”. This is a sentence that Vancouverites have been hearing for years. It is surreal to think that in less than 2 weeks, the Games will be in full swing. The world will be here. Or if they are not here physically, they will be watching. This weekend I decided to take advantage of the relative calm before biggest party I have ever been to kicks off. Wandering the streets of the city I have adopted as my own, I was eager to see how Vancouver is gearing up for this massive influx of visitors and attention.
Let me tell you, Vancouver has definitely not let me down! Shall we start with the largest Canadian flag ever made adorning the corner of Georgia and Howe Streets? Hidden behind this 32 metre high and 64 metre wide Canadian flag is the iconic Hotel Georgia which is currently undergoing massive renovations. The development company took the opportunity to cover the unsightly construction zone in the most patriotic manner possible and I guarantee you this will be one of the most photographed images from the Games.
Olympic banners are being installed all over the city; buildings and even vehicles are being wrapped in anticipation of the Games. Check out the normally bright red trolleys from Vancouver Trolley Company. In the heart of Downtown, The Olympic Superstore is taking up most of the first floor of The Bay – this will be the place to pick up anything and everything Olympic related. The hottest commodity thus far has been these red Torchbearer mittens – staff in stores across the country are having a hard time keeping the shelves stocked with these – everyone is clamouring to get their “hands” a pair.
In addition, other wraps, decals and symbols of Canadian pride are popping up all over the city as we gear up to host the world. Maple leafs, Red & White paraphernalia and the always popular “Go Canada Go” beginning to adorn storefronts throughout the downtown area. The excitement is palpable.
We have been preparing for the Games for so many years! It’s hard to believe they are almost here. If all the red and white covering Vancouver, doesn’t make you want to stand up and sing Oh Canada, I don’t know what will! The Games start in less than 2 weeks and we can’t wait to see you! Are you ready?
Posted in Olympics, Vancouverites, events, shopping | Tagged 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver 2010 | 1 Comment »
There’s a ton of amazing music happening during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics—the biggest free concerts will be at LiveCity Downtown and LiveCity Yaletown—but the biggest acts will be at the nightly Vancouver Victory Ceremonies, February 14 – 26, 2010.
Canadian music stars performing at the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies include Nelly Furtado, Barenaked Ladies, Hedley, and Loverboy. Other big names include INXS and Paul Brandt.
There are tickets still available for the Ceremonies, which VANOC predicts will be, “the place to be in the evenings in Vancouver during the Games.”
Tickets are $22; $50 for premium seats. Buy them online at VANOC or by phone at 1-800-TICKETS.
(One tip: If you search online for tickets, put in a range of dates—rather than focusing on one night—so you can see all available tickets.)
Vancouver Victory Ceremony Headliners & Dates
Sunday, February 14:
Nelly Furtado ― British Columbia night
Live medal presentations in short track speed skating (men’s 1,500 m), ladies’ freestyle skiing moguls and speed skating (men’s 5,000 m and ladies’ 3,000 m).
Monday, February 15:
TBA ― Quebec night
Live medal presentations in men’s freestyle skiing moguls.
Tuesday, February 16:
Barenaked Ladies ― Nova Scotia night
Live medal presentations in men’s and ladies’ snowboard cross, as well as men’s 500-metre speed skating.
Wednesday, February 17:
Paul Brandt ― Alberta night
Live medal presentations in ladies’ 500-metre speed skating.
Thursday, February 18:
Hedley ― Prince Edward Island night
Live medal presentations in short track speed skating (ladies’ 500 m), men’s snowboard halfpipe, as well as men’s and ladies’ 1,000-metre speed skating.
Friday, February 19:
Theory of a Deadman ― Northwest Territories’ night
Live medal presentations in ladies’ snowboard halfpipe.
Saturday, February 20:
Stereophonics ― Yukon night
**no Vancouver medal presentations**
Sunday, February 21:
Trooper & Loverboy ― Nunavut night
Live medal presentations in short track speed skating (ladies’ 1,500 m and men’s 1,000 m), men’s 1,500-metre speed skating and men’s freestyle skiing ski cross.
Tuesday, February 23:
Billy Talent ― Saskatchewan night
Live medal presentations in ladies’ freestyle skiing ski cross and men’s 10,000-metre speed skating.
Wednesday, February 24:
INXS ― Ontario night
Live medal presentations in ladies’ 5,000-metre speed skating.
Thursday, February 25:
Burton Cummings ― Manitoba night
Live medal presentations in short track speed skating (ladies’ 3,000 m relay) and ladies’ freestyle skiing aerials.
Friday, February 26:
Great Big Sea ― Newfoundland and Labrador night
Live medal presentations in men’s freestyle skiing aerials and ladies’ snowboarding parallel giant slalom.
Posted in Olympics, entertainment, events | Tagged 2010 Olympics, vancouver victory ceremonies | 1 Comment »
We had a great response to our Inside Vancouver online video contest. The original 34 entries were narrowed down to 10 finalists, and 20,000 views later the 3 best were chosen by the voting public.
Here are the winning videos:
First Place – Vancouver, A Minute Impression
Alexandre Klinke won two tickets to the Olympic Closing Ceremonies for this beautiful video.
Thanks to everyone that helped make this video contest a success!
Posted in contests, videos | 4 Comments »
Raincoast Books has once again provided us with some great books to give away to our faithful readers. This time it’s the latest Lonely Planet Vancouver City Guide.
To be eligible, post a comment below telling us your thoughts on Vancouver’s weather. Do you love the rain or do you long for the sunshine (especially at this time of year). We’ll randomly select the winners and notify them by email.
Update Feb 4 – winners have been randomly selected and notified by email. We will be giving away more books in the weeks ahead so please check back regularly.
Posted in contests | 44 Comments »
Shrimp dumplings at Floata Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver's Chinatown
Just in time for the 2010 Olympics, famous taste arbiter Condé Nast Traveler has given Vancouver the “Gold Medal” for the best Chinese food in North America–and maybe the world.
In the February 2010 issue, food writer Mark Schatzker not only declares Vancouver’s Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Szechuan restaurants better than San Francisco’s and New York’s, he seems to agree with local Chinese food critic and writer Stephanie Yuen, who, though originally from Hong Kong, thinks “Vancouver is home to the best Chinese food in the world. Period.“
In Schatzker’s piece, you’ll find listings and addresses for his picks for Vancouver’s Best Seafood, Best Dumpling, Best Noodle Dish, and more. Check out all of his Condé Nast Traveler picks for best Vancouver Chinese Restaurants here.
I’ll add a few picks of my own, all located in historic Vancouver Chinatown:
Please share your favourite Chinese restaurants in the comments!
Posted in dining | Tagged chinatown, chinese, chinese food, historic chinatown, multicultural | Leave a Comment »
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