Miss604 is pleased to partner with YWCA Metro Vancouver to present YWCA Skate Night at Robson Square next week.
YWCA Skate Night at Robson Square
Where: Robson Square ice rink (between Hornby and Howe, Downtown Vancouver) When: Friday, January 15, 2016 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Admission is free or by donation to the YWCA, and free hot chocolate will be available for skaters to enjoy. Skate rentals are $4 or you can bring your own. Rentals come with a helmet.
Participants are asked to bring donations of socks for women or children, non-perishable food, or toothbrushes. These items help local YWCA programs and clients. Visit the Facebook event page for more details.
Selfie Contest
Tweet or Instagram a selfie from Robson Square using #YWCASkateNight+ @Miss604 and you could win movie passes or a $20 gift card for a local shop! Winners will be announced at Robson Square before 9:00pm on Friday, January 15, 2016.
YWCA Metro Vancouver is one of the city’s largest and most diversified non-profit organizations. Our aim is to touch lives and build better futures for women and their families through advocacy and integrated services that foster economic independence, wellness and equal opportunities.
Your donation will help the women and children at YWCA Crabtree Corner, our family resource centre in the Downtown Eastside. Crabtree Corner provides a sense of community for women and their families who access the 13 programs such as safe transitional housing, food programs, child care and literacy support, violence prevention programs and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) resources.
When: Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Where: Sunberry Fitness (#440-4400 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond) Admission: $20, book online in advance, women only. Cause: Bandaids for Bunnies. There is a big bunny abandonment problem in Richmond, that Bandaids for Bunnies is trying to alleviate.
I connected with Nancy Lin, co-founder of Sunberry Fitness in Richmond, who has partnered with Bandaids for Bunnies to present this very unique yoga class which began in the fall.
“Bunny Yoga a Flow/Yin yoga class where we let bunnies roam free in the class room. The bunnies interact with the people during the class as they see fit.”
Nancy says that the big difference in setup, compared to a regular yoga class, is that there are bunny cages along the classroom so they can hide if necessary.
“We find flow/yin style of yoga with its gentle movements work really well, it works with the bunnies’ natural instincts. For example when we do the cat-cow pose, the bunnies will think you are a cave and sit on your yoga mat under you.”
The bunnies tend to be drawn to their favourite people, whether they have taken the class before or if they have bright colours on their mats or clothing.
So why are these activities or businesses that pair animals with humans becoming so popular? Nancy says it’s something that’s actually always been around, for as long as people have loved animals. “It’s just with the rise of the internet and social media it has become much easier to organize and gather people with similar interests, therefore making these events possible.”
After the Bunny Yoga class, participants can feed the bunnies or inquire about their adoption of fostering. Fostering is for pairs of bunnies as that helps them adjust to the short term environment.
For more information, follow Sunberry Fitness on Facebook and Twitter, as well as Bandaids for Bunnies on Facebook.
Three days ago, Christian LeBlanc uploaded a video to YouTube called “This Is Why I Fly A Drone”, and since that time it has been viewed over 26,000 times (to date). On a chilly winter day, the travel vlogger captured a very “Canadian” moment as families and friends gathered to ice skate on what appears to be Serpentine Fen in Surrey.
When I was young, we would skate at Fry’s Corner in Surrey, a field that would frequent flood then freeze in the winter, just off Fraser Highway. This footage brought back memories, not only of trying to play hockey with my sibling using old hand-me-down skates, but of rosy cheeks and hot chocolate in the car that followed.
Best of luck to Christian in 2016, as he recently resigned from his corporate job. He decided to commit himself to following his passion and traveling the world, sharing moments like this with the rest of us – even if they are from our own backyard.
Do you know a woman whose outstanding achievements contribute to the well-being and future of Metro Vancouver? Do you know of a business or organization that supports the wellness and diverse needs of its employees? Consider nominating a woman or workplace for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award!
YWCA Women of Distinction Award Nominations
Nominations for the 2016 Women of Distinction Awards are now being accepted and will close on January 15, 2016.
YWCA Metro Vancouver is proud to host the nationally-recognized 33rd annual Women of Distinction Awards in support of their 50 programs and services on June 8, 2016 at the beautifully appointed Vancouver Convention Centre. Funds raised from the event help women, children, youth and families at turning points in their lives. The Awards is a chance to pay tribute to our community’s outstanding women and organizations and to support much-needed programs and services crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty.
You can nominate an individual or a workplace in the following categories: Arts, Culture & Design; Business & the Professions; Community Building; Education, Training & Development; Entrepreneurship; Environmental Sustainability; Health, Wellness & Active Living; Non-Profit & Public Service; Technology and Science Research; and Young Woman of Distinction.
Follow the YWCA of Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information. Miss604 is the proud social media sponsor of this event for the 7th year.
Last weekend, John and I noticed a trend as we observed fellow shoppers on West Broadway: Every second person was holding a brand new pair of snowshoes. Fun for the whole family and for all skill levels, snowshoeing is quickly becoming the hottest snow activity around. Whether you bought your own pair of snowshoes last weekend or you will be renting, here are some options for your next North Shore adventure.
Where to Snowshoe on the North Shore
Mount Seymour
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The snowshoe centre is open Monday-Friday (until April): 10:00am to 4:00pm; Weekends & Holidays (until April): 9:00am to 4:00pm. Seymour offers 9 types of snowshoe tours if you’re looking for a guided or package experience. From “Legends and Lanterns” at night to “Chocolate Fondue”, “Baby and Me”, and “Snowfit” options. Check out the Snowshoe Trails Map if you’re coming up on your own. Rentals are available and if you have your own gear, simply purchase a trail pass and head out on your adventure.
Grouse Mountain
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Access to Grouse’s snowshoe trails is included with your Alpine Experience ticket or valid pass. Once you’re up the SkyRide, you can pick up rentals or hit the trails. Tour options include “Baby and Me”, “Boomers and Zoomers”, “Snowshoe Fondue”, “Snowshoe Grind”, guided tours and more. Looking for a challenge? Try the “Snowshoe Grind” at 4.3 km long and with an elevation gain of 215 metres.
Cypress Mountain
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Cypress offers self-guided trails on a 11km network through the snowy sup-alpine forests and meadows of the Nordic Ski Area located on the Hollyburn Ridge. Tours offered include “Girls Night Out”, “Snowshoe Fondue”, “Music Nights”, and the regularly scheduled “Hollyburn Meadows Tour”.
Snowshoe Tips
Get there early, and by early I mean before 9:00am as parking lots fill up quickly.
Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Wear sunscreen if it’s sunny. Wear layers that are waterproof. Bring eyewear (sunglasses).
On your feet, wear insulated, waterproof boots or hiking boots. If you’ll be in deep snow, gaiters will keep your ankles dry.
Plan your trail route so that you know where you’re going and are in designated areas.
Bring water. Even if it’s cold you’ll still need to hydrate from the exercise. Also bring some snacks (granola bars, trail mix, etc.) to keep you fueled during the day.
Have fun and be safe out there! Remember to also take lots of photos of the beautiful alpine scenery, the views of Vancouver from the hills, and of course the smiles on everyone’s faces.
Admission is free or by donation to the YWCA, and free hot chocolate will be available for skaters to enjoy. Skate rentals are $4 or you can bring your own. Rentals come with a helmet. 
