Thrill the World is coming up as local groups, in communities around the world, simultaneously take part in the world record attempt for the most people dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller at the same time.

The event is fun for dancers (and non dancers who want to learn the moves), families, those who love to dress up, zombie enthusiasts, and of course MJ fans. The best part is that each Thrill The World community event raises funds for local charities.

Thrill The World Surrey

• When: Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm. Global Thrill time is 3:00pm sharp.
• Where: Cloverdale Youth Park (NE corner of 176th St and 62 Ave, Surrey)
• Details: This event will support the Surrey Food Bank. Join the event on Facebook for updates.

Thrill the World launched in 2006 with 62 zombies at “Thrill Toronto” and fuelled epic worldwide excitement which grows every year. In 2013 alone, over 6400 zombies in 22 countries around the world took part, breaking yet another world record.

Miss604 is happy to support this event and I have donated a few prizes to be handed out on Saturday as well.

Follow Thrill the World Surrey on Facebook for more information and to learn about rehearsals if you would like to study the moves in advance. Download the dance script or follow the step-by-step instructional video to learn on your own time before the big day. There will be several run-throughs and practice dances before the main event at 3:00pm.

When surrounded by Mother Nature’s finest handy work, in one of the most impressive landscapes on the planet, you may find yourself feeling more daring and adventurous than you ever dreamed you could be.

On an crisp, early autumn morning, my Kootenay Rockies travel media group trip set out from Cathedral Mountain Lodge in Yoho National Park, stopping at Truffle Pigs in Field, BC to fuel up with some delicious lattes. Our destination that day was the town of Golden, nestled in the Rocky Mountain Trench and built around the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers. It is surrounded by the Purcell Mountain, the Rocky Mountains, and five national parks, making Golden one amazing outdoor adventure playground.

Our itinerary, while in the Golden area, included kayaking, an activity that I am very familiar with and enjoy immensely. It turns out that I had no idea that I would have to push myself so far that day — and that I would feel so great afterward.

We parked along the Kicking Horse River and our group was picked up by Alpine Rafting’s owner and guide, Jim Pleym. Now in its 30th year, 17 of which have been with Jim at the helm, Alpine Rafting offers rafting trips, kayak and paddle board tours, and adventure trips for groups of many sizes.

We drove along an old logging road (a theme throughout our stay in the Golden area) and stopped at a lookout to gaze at Wapta Falls. Standing 98 feet tall and 500 feet wide, it’s the largest waterfall of the Kicking Horse River. We peered down as it looked so small in the shadows of the towering mountains in the background but we were about to get a much closer look.

Dancing along the border of Yoho National Park, our input area was along the Beaverfoot River, which wasn’t as wide as the Kicking Horse but it was very swift. Our group had 4 kayakers in inflatable vessels, and 2 stand up paddle boarders. Jim said that he’s trying to encourage the paddle boarding as it’s not only a totally unique experience but the boards are easier to navigate and portage on this route that he had created.

Alpine Rafting provided all of our gear:
• Inflatable kayaks and stand up paddle boards
• Helmets
• Wet suits with boots and spray shirts
• Dry bags
• A picnic lunch at the end of the day

I brought my own paddling gloves, which were useful for grip on the paddle and during our portage to protect my hands along the mountain terrain. I also only used my iPhone for photos. I used a LifeProof brand iPhone case to protect my phone from the water, mist, and splashes and spray.

As someone who has only lake and ocean kayaked before, there was one thing I should have realized right off the bat: rivers move, and they move fast. I was in an inflatable kayak and once I hopped into the water and I lifted my silt-covered boots into the craft and I was off!

I immediately began flowing down river with the current and had to paddle backward as hard as I could to keep from leaving the group in my wake. I have to admit, I was scared. Not so much about the ride but not knowing what the route ahead had in store since that lookout view of Wapta Falls was fresh in my memory.

The best way for me to slow down at that point, Jim informed us when we stopped down river at a sand bar, is to simply roll out of the kayak and put down my feet. In many places the Beaverfoot was only 2 feet deep and when coming up to a stopping point that was definitely easiest way to drop anchor as it were. The key was to think of the kayak as an extension of your body and make it go where you wanted it to go, instead of just being along for the ride.

When we did stop, Jim would tell us about the history and geography of the area, and how the Kicking Horse River was the first river designated as a BC Heritage River.

The brisk Beaverfoot twisted and turned as Jim lead us around rocks, trees, and rapids on his stand up paddle board. He had us pull over and leave our crafts on the side of the river as we walked through a forest thick with soft moss, ferns, thistles. We came to a clearing where we could now see that we were standing at the top of Wapta Falls, several hundred meters up river before it came crashing down. We waded out to a sand bar for a photo op in the turquoise water that reflected the scenery like a mirror in the sand.

Walking back to the Beaverfoot, we paddled directly across the river and began our portage. Straight up a hill, tugging our inflatables behind us, trying to keep our grip in the bark mulch and mud with our wetsuit booties. It was literally an uphill struggle and while we weren’t prepared for it, and I had to stop several times to catch my breath, it sounds pretty badass when I tell people I kayaked rapids and portaged to the top of a waterfall.

Unable to tell whether the spray from the falls or the sweat from the portage hike up to this point was soaking my helmet, I walked to the edge of the path and there was Wapta Falls in front of us, draped in a rainbow.

Across the mist way was the trail head lookout from Yoho National Park, which is publicly accessible on a 3km hiking route, providing a different view than what we had on the south side. It felt like we had our own private view of the falls, on our own private tour, in our own private rivers.

We hiked back down the other side of the hill and loaded into the Kicking Horse River. It was like driving on an 8 lane highway after being on a gravel road for the first leg of the trip. Compared to the Beaverfoot it was wide and luxurious, with a manageable pace.

Then came the rollers. Heading straight for the class 2 rapids I navigated the bends and curves, following Jim’s lead up ahead. Crashing the bow of the kayak through wave after wave, I giggled. It was like being on a rollercoaster that went up, down, a little sideways, and soaked you every second. I almost liked being in the waves because I felt like I had more paddling control, like my body was getting used to the river’s beat and it made me more comfortable.

Our journey would soon come to an end as we jumped out at a clearing where the Alpine Rafting van was waiting for us, packed with our picnic lunches. Peeling off our wetsuits and devouring sandwiches, salads, cookies and apples, there was a great sense of accomplishment.

For someone with more river kayaking and paddle boarding experience, it would be a fantastic trip to discover and explore the Beaverfoot and Kicking Horse’s terrain in such a stunning setting. You’ll spend less time than I did freaking out (in my own head) about the current in the river and more time soaking it all in. It was the unknown that scared me really, but that ended up being part of the thrill. I’m so glad that I did it — that I got to take part in this tour, that I pushed my comfort level, and that I powered forward to experience an adventure like no other, in a place unlike any other in the world.

Tour Length: We were out from about 10:00am to 1:00pm
Time of Year the Tour is Offered: June to September

If you have any questions at all about this type of kayak and paddle board tour or taking a white water rafting tour, contact Alpine Rafting and they’ll be happy to help. Their head office is also located directly across from the Golden visitor centre near Highway 1 so you can’t miss them. More resources are available through Kootenay Rockies Tourism and Destination BC.

Enjoy a free day of movies at your local Cineplex theatre all for a good cause on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Now in its 5th year, Cineplex Community Day treats guests to a selection of family-friendly films with donations and concession sales supporting Free The Children.

Free Movies at Cineplex Community Day

This year’s Community Day film line-up includes Despicable Me 2, Fast & Furious 6, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Pitch Perfect, Hop, and Dumb and Dumber To.

Movie-lovers in attendance can enjoy a morning of free movies and select concessions like coffee, popcorn, soft drinks and select candy items will be priced at $2.00 each. Cineplex will also be selling exclusive mini-Rafiki friendship bracelets for $2.00 each, with all proceeds from donations and concession sales supporting Free The Children, its national charity partner.

Founded by Canada’s Kielburger brothers, Free the Children is also the organization behind the annual We Day events in major cities across North America – half a dozen of which have been hosted in Vancouver, and I’ve had the pleasure of attending.

Free The Children is an international charity committed to delivering a sustainable development model that empowers people to transform themselves, their families, their communities and the world.

All 22 Cineplex theatres across British Columbia will open their doors to guests in the morning of October 24th. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. Movies will begin at 9:00am, with all locations returning to regular programming in the afternoon.

Participating theatres in British Columbia:

Cineplex Entertainment has raised over $1,700,000 for Canadian charities since hosting its first Community Day five years ago. Follow #CommunityDay online and follow Cineplex on Facebook and Twitter for more information. Theatre listings for all Canadian cities can be found online.

Fall is here which means it’s time for chunky scarves, hot beverages, and oh-so-much comfort food. Indulge and enjoy the best of the season at The Belmont’s second “Dine. Drink. Dance.” event, the Fall Harvest Dinner.

Where: The Belmont Bar, 1006 Granville, Vancouver
When: Thursday, October 29th, 2015 at 7:00pm
Tickets: Available online for just $20 (plus fee)

Settle in for 4 courses that include artisanal sausages, roasted butternut squash puree with a light cinnamon Chantilly, prawns provencal, gnocchi, and spiced pumpkin crème brûlée.

Win Tickets to the Fall Harvest Dinner at The Belmont

If you would like to attend with a guest, I have a pair of tickets to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Follow The Belmont on Facebook and Twitter for more information about special events.

Update The winner is Hadley!

Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver’s only cemetery, is as old as the city itself. Made up of 106 acres along Fraser St between 21st Ave and 43rd Ave, it is home to several specialized tours and events throughout the year.

One of the most popular annual events, now in its 11th year, is Night for All Souls. Curated by artists Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto, this unique cultural event offers the public an opportunity to remember their dead, whether interred at Mountain View Cemetery or not, in a gentle atmosphere of contemplative beauty.

Photo credit: John Allison on Flickr

Night for All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery

Night for All Souls is Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.

“The first fires are lit at sundown, and throughout the evening the cemetery comes alive with music, poetry, and flickering candles. Inside the celebration hall you will find tea to refresh you, and flowers, papers and candles for the creation of personal memorials to place on one of the artist made shrines or family graves.”

The cemetery’s registry will be open during this event if you would like to locate specific graves.

Other events that will take place over the next two weeks include:
October 17th: Lantern Making
October 25th to November 1st: The celebration hall will be open for tea and the creation of personal memorials.
October 25th, 2015: Walking Tour
October 27th: Mourners’ Tea
October 28th: Storytelling Evening
October 30th, 2015: Composer Joelysa Pankanea’s The 5th Stage
October 31st, 2015: Community Shrine Lighting and Music
November 1st, 2015: Historical Walking Tour

Walking Tours

Mountain View is the final final resting place of almost 150,000 people, including Vancouver mayors; first responders who died while on active duty; WWI and WWII veterans; Freemasons, Knights of Pythias, and Odd Fellows members; and victims of disasters such as the SS Sophia, Lakeview Tram, and Rogers Pass.

Scheduled tours are promoted on Twitter, Facebook, and this page. For self-guided tours you can download PDF maps online for Self Guided Walk; Interesting Citizens: Vancouver’s Mayors; and Interesting Citizens: Princess Sophia Sinking.