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Two of Vancouver’s most hip and exciting neighbourhoods have joined forces in celebration of the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Flag Walk | South Granville + Yaletown

The South Granville and Yaletown business associations have launched Flag Walk, connecting the two distinct commercial areas to each other via the placement of coloured flags from the countries competing in the 2010 Winter Games.

More than 450 large decals of the 80 flags of participating nations will be placed on the sidewalks, along Granville St. from 16th Avenue, across the Granville Bridge through Yaletown, ending at the Terry Fox Gate located at BC Place stadium. It is hoped by organizers that visitors and residents will be curious to follow the flags and use them as a way of navigating through the downtown and discovering more of Vancouver. Flag Walk decals will be in place from November 20th until Spring 2010.

Many of the businesses of South Granville and Yaletown will be adopting a nation of their choosing and become ‘celebration sites‘ along the Walk to build both business and momentum for this unique event. There will be sponsored contests for a trip around the world, flag button giveaways and a kids’s colouring contest.

Flag Walk promises to be a festive celebration of international friendship and a great opportunity to enjoy Vancouver’s and Canada’s multicultural spirit.

I need a money tree.

Last year when the idea for this trip was still in the early planning stages, I didn’t really give much thought to how much the whole thing would cost.  For awhile I wasn’t sure if we were even going to go after getting tickets for only two events and facing long term unemployment.  That changed earlier this year.  After starting a new job and getting more tickets, it was time to proceed with the rest of the planning; securing a place to stay and getting transportation out to Vancouver.  As much as some of the plans have stressed me out, it has been kind of fun. 

This trip however is not without its sacrifices.  One of the things people are most curious about is how much it is costing me.  For a variety of reasons, I long ago decided not to reveal costs to anyone.  My parents don’t even know how much everything really is.  Between you and me, the truth is, this isn’t really a trip that I can afford to go on.  It is a huge effort to pay for everything plus cover my regular everyday living expenses.  As much as I’ve set budgets and stayed within them, it’s still quite a huge chunk of change. The money has to come from somewhere and I will be paying this off for a long time to come.  It’s mostly my social life and shopping that is taking the hit.  I’ve spent more weekends at home than ever and I am staying away from malls so I’m not tempted to spend money in them.  Any extra cash is being set aside for trip expenses.  I’m even considering getting a second job to help out the money situation.  I don’t mind altering my lifestyle for the sake of my trip.  The experience of Vancouver 2010 will be unlike anything I’ve ever had the privilege to attend.  It will no doubt be a very special and thrilling experience.  And these are the things that must be done so that can happen.

I never expected that seeing an Olympics was ever in the realm of possibilities for me.   I’ve gotten some attention from journalists who have wanted to talk to me about this experience for stories they are writing.   One of the things they ask is why this is special to me.  It’s really hard for me to describe why it is.  I guess one of the reasons is that I never thought someone ordinary like me could go see the Olympics.  I always thought tickets would cost a thousand dollars and I wouldn’t be able to afford to see anything let alone all the events I have tickets for.   It’s so special to me because an everyday, ordinary person like me, through a lot of planning, determination and lifestyle adjustments, can (somewhat) afford tickets to Vancouver 2010, hunt down a condo in a city where no hotel rooms are to be found, and book a flight for February 2010 nine months in advance.  And really, there is nothing in my regular life that would draw attention from journalists, so that in itself makes it pretty special!  I can’t wait to see who I get an email from next.  All I know is that if it’s possible for me, it’s possible for many others like me.  I am looking forward to meeting those people next year in Vancouver.  It will be pretty exciting to be surrounded by people who love the Olympics as much as I do.  It’s been exciting up to this point and I’m not even in Vancouver yet.  I can’t wait to see what else the future brings.

See you soon Vancouver.  85 days to go and counting.

Painting by Susan Patterson, showing at 1310 William Street, part of Eastside Culture Crawl 2009

Every year, the Vancouver Eastside Culture Crawl—a free three-day visual arts festival—offers art lovers a chance to see up-and-coming Vancouver artists and a chance to buy their amazing works.

Basically, the Crawl is a simultaneous showing of artists’ work at studios and buildings from Main Street to Commercial Drive, just east of downtown Vancouver.

Map of Eastside Culture Crawl 2009

Painters, jewelers, sculptors, furniture makers, potters, photographers, glassblowers—the number and array of artists showing at this year’s Culture Crawl is truly staggering. How can anyone see that many artists in just three days?

Bracelet by Contexture Design, showing at 930 Station Street for Eastside Culture Crawl 2009

Bracelet by Contexture Design, showing at 930 Station Street during Eastside Culture Crawl 2009

To me, the best strategy is to spend time at the Eastside Culture Crawl website browsing the artists’ pages and image galleries, so you can choose your destinations based on the work that most interests you.

Of course, another plan is to simply pick a geographical area—say, Union between Princess and Campbell—and work the hell out of it.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the Echo Chamber After Hours Party, a fusion of music, film, visual and performing arts (with a cash bar) at Chapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy. Tickets are available at the Crawl Info Booth at 601 Keefer Street during Crawl hours.

The 2009 Eastside Culture Crawl happens November 20 – 22, 2009. The Echo Chamber After Hours Party is on November 20 – 21, 2009.

Whether you go there for fresh fruits or dried seafood, Chinese imports, fabulous Dim Sum, or summer concerts, if you live in Vancouver, Chinatown is part of your life.

Vancouver’s Chinatown is the one of largest in the Western Hemisphere, and, no matter the weather, it’s always packed with people and bustling with energy. It’s one of the most vibrant areas of the city, home to a wide range of shops, restaurants, and historic attractions.

I love walking through Chinatown. More honestly, I love shopping and eating my way through Chinatown, stopping at the historic sites as I go.

Which sites should you definitely see on a trip to Chinatown?

Chinatown’s Top 5 Historic Attractions

Chinatown Vancouver's Millennium Gate

1. Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Gate – Pender Street & Taylor Street
On any visit to Chinatown—especially if you’re coming from downtown Vancouver—how could you resist walking through the Millennium Gate? This magnificent structure not only commemorates the millennium, it’s a symbol of Eastern and Western cultures coming together in joint community.

West Han Dynasty Bell

2. West Han Dynasty Bell – Shanghai Alley
This impressive monument, a gift from the city of Guangzhou, China, memorializes Chinese history in Vancouver.

Sam Kee Building, only 6 feet wide

3. Sam Kee Building: The World’s Narrowest Building – 8 West Pender Street
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Sam Kee Building is the world’s narrowest commercial building, with a width of only 6 feet!

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden

4. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden – 578 Carrall Street
Rain, shine, even snow—this classical Chinese garden is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Vancouver. It also hosts not-to-be-missed events year-round, including an outdoor summer concert series and an annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival in December.

The Monument of Canadian Chinese in Vancouver's Chinatown

5. Monument of Canadian Chinese – Keefer Street & Columbia Street
Located very near the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden, this monument is dedicated to the historic achievement of the Canadian Chinese, including their bravery in WWII and their invaluable work on the Canadian Pacific Railway.

All of these attractions are an easy walking distance of each other, and touring them yourself means you get to stop and explore whenever you want. But touring with a knowledgeable guide is always a major plus. A Wok Around Chinatown combines cultural tourism and culinary tourism—how awesome is that?!

Have a favourite historic Chinatown attraction? Please share!

Vancouver winters are perfect for skiing and snowboarding, but I have admit that I like the season because of the holidays. I love Vancouver’s holiday traditions, like Stanley Park’s Bright Nights and the Rogers Santa Claus Parade, but I especially love the way our arts community celebrates the season with plays, concerts and choirs.

Todd Talbot, Monique Lund, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Jeffrey Victor in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical. Photo by David Cooper.

When it comes to theatre that embodies the spirit of the season, you can’t beat the famous Arts Club Theatre Company’s annual holiday offerings. This year, they have a rousing rendition of White Christmas: The Musical at the historic Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage and, back by popular demand, the perennial holiday favourite It’s a Wonderful Life at the Granville Island Stage.

Kirsten Robek amd Bob Frazer in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life. Photo by David Cooper.

White Christmas runs through December 27, 2009. It’s already sold out 17 shows, so hurry if you want tickets.

It’s a Wonderful Life runs from November 26, 2009 – January 2, 2010. Tickets are on sale now.

On Wednesday, I spent an awesome day shopping with my girlfriends at the annual Circle Craft Christmas Market at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Now in its 36th year, this enormous market is Western Canada’s largest craft fair. It’s also much more upscale that the name “craft” may imply; it’s a huge collection of Canadian artisans who produce gorgeous jewelry, clothing, metal and clay works, gourmet delicacies, and gifts.

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Fabulous food stalls at the Circle Craft Christmas Market

Most of the artisans are from British Columbia; many are from right here in Vancouver. Whether you live here or are in town visiting, if you want unique, made-in-B.C. goods, this is a fabulous place to shop.

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Amity Jewelry--who have a shop on Granville Island--are one of the many local artisans at the fair.

One caveat: Because these are upscale items, prices may be higher than you would expect. For example, gorgeous sweaters at Precocious Environmental Couture or Luved are $150 – $200.

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Precocious Environmental Couture's "reclaimed", one-of-a-kind sweaters

If shopping makes you as hungry at it made me and my girlfriends, do what we did and walk one block east to Steamworks for some of Vancouver’s best beer and burgers. (No worries for vegetarians: The portobello burger is just as divine!)

The Circle Craft Christmas Market is at the Vancouver Convention Centre November 11 – 15, 2009. Get $2 off the admission price (regularly $12; $8 for seniors and students) by registering for a coupon online.

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Yum! Seafood chowder from the 2008 Chowder ChowDown

What happens when some of Vancouver’s most acclaimed chefs compete for the title of BC Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Champion 2009? You get one of Vancouver’s best foodie events ever: the 2nd Annual Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder ChowDown on Wednesday, November 25. And some damn fine chowder, too!

When it comes to eating in Vancouver, there’s one ingredient that is almost ubiquitous: seafood. From sushi to sablefish, if you love “fruits of the sea,” you should support Ocean Wise, a non-profit conservation program at the Vancouver Aquarium that partners with restaurants to help them—and you—make sustainable, environmentally-friendly seafood choices. (You’ve probably noticed the Ocean Wise seal of approval beside menu items at restaurants like Blue Water Cafe and Araxi.)

At the 2009 Ocean Wise Chowder ChowDown, you not only dine on chowder from Ocean Wise’s Top 10 chef finalists—last year’s chefs included Quang Dang from C Restaurant, Jonathan Boerboom from Nu, and Ross Johnston from the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel—you sample paired beers from five members of the Craft Brewers Association of BC (including Granville Island Brewing), and you do it all against the elegant, magical backdrop of the Vancouver Aquarium at night.

The most amazing part, especially considering how expensive Vancouver foodie events can be, is the price: It’s just $35 per person.

Why are you not buying a ticket for this right now?

I can’t wait for the 2009 Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder ChowDown. It just sounds like so much fun, something different, and just as elegant but less expensive than a fancy dinner out. Sampling different chowders, voting for the People’s Choice Award, being entertained by MC and food writer extraordinaire Andrew Morrison, the Aquarium at night….Does it get better than that?

How would you like a pair of men’s hockey, or even a couple Closing Ceremony tickets?

Well you can try your luck on Nov 14 when the next batch of tickets are released, or you can pay through the nose to a ticket reseller, or you can simply submit a great video showcasing Vancouver!
video_contest
Tourism Vancouver is offering up some fantastic Olympic tickets for the best 1-2 minute online videos showcasing your favourite places to go or things to do in Vancouver.

Full details here: www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/videocontest

Living on the ‘wet coast’, Vancouverites don’t let rainy weather get in the way of their enjoyment of outdoor activities. It’s all in the choice of rain gear and selection of proper footwear – usually rubber boots!

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A wonderful place to visit any time of year, and in any weather, is the UBC Botanical Garden, located on SW Marine Drive at the entrance to the University of British Columbia. This garden is the oldest continuously operating botanical garden in Canada, and has much to offer visitors of any age and interest. The Garden is not only an attraction in itself, it serves as a ‘green classroom’ for education, preservation and the research of plants, botany and landscape architecture.

One hour is the minimum amount of time for a walk through the Garden; longer if you wish to view the Asian or Alpine Garden. Even in winter, the lushness of the many plant varieties is impressive, and walking beneath the towering canopies of Douglas Fir and Red Cedar trees is awe-inspiring. There are many animals and birds to search for with the kids – we saw a salamander, woodpecker and field mouse on a recent visit. The wonderful smell of the rainforest in the Garden is a very ‘Vancouver’ experience.

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If you’re up for a unique adventure, the Greenheart Canopy Walkway offers a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the forest canopy with its 308-metre walkway through the treetops. At heights of 17.5 metres, you can tour the canopy and view the wide variety of plant and animal life that exists above the forest floor.  (Note: There is a separate charge for entrance to the Walkway.)

There’s the Shop in the Garden for browsing for unique gifts and plants for the gardener in your life, and the Garden holds many annual public events, such as the UBC Apple Festival and the upcoming Holiday Wreath Sale.

Preview+Vancouver+2010+Ticket+Designs+ZduIcwrXgLyl

If you haven’t had a chance to buy tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics yet, and you’re a Canadian resident, you’ve got one more shot at getting your dream tickets this Saturday, November 14.

Vanoc, the official organizers of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, have set aside over 100,000 tickets to Vancouver events, including the hottest tickets in town like gold medal hockey and the opening ceremonies.

To buy tickets, be at the Vanoc ticketing site at 10am on Saturday, November 14. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If possible—the ticketing site may be closed in preparation for the sale—register for a ticket account in advance. (If you’ve bought tickets before, you already have an account.)

This sale is also the last chance to get the collectible, full-colour, oversize tickets that have Vancouver 2010 pictograms, sport and venue illustrations (pictured above). These collector tickets will no longer be available after this ticket phase.

Edited 7/11/09 to reflect Vanoc’s postponement of the sale from November 7 to November 14, 2009.

 

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