The temperature is dropping and the rain is coming, but that’s not stopping Lower Mainlanders from getting out and exploring all the great hikes, views, sights, and scenes our region has to offer. Just as we tuck away the flip flops and bust out our boots for another season, your car should also be prepared for the change in road conditions. I stopped by Kal Tire in Surrey to get some top tips for winter driving.

Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia
from October 1 to April 30.

Get Your Car Ready for Winter Driving with Kal Tire

1. Start with the right tires

All-season tires are designed for warm, dry and mild wet conditions in temperatures above +7C. Winter tires are needed for traction in cold temperatures, once it starts to dip below +7C, as well as snow, ice and slush. All-weather tires are winter designated, bearing the mountain snowflake symbol, but can also be driven year-round without wearing prematurely in the summer — eliminating the need for tire changeovers or storage.

2. Check your tread-depth

Tires that don’t have enough tread depth put you at greater risk of hydroplaning, punctures and reduced traction. Fortunately, measuring tread depth regularly is a simple way to help ensure your tires can perform safely. It’s easy to check your tread depth, Kal Tire shows you how here.

3. Tire pressure

Check tires and tire pressure at least once a month when tires are cold and remember that tire air pressure decreases in colder weather.  50% of vehicles on the road in Canada have at least one tire that is over or under inflated by more than 10%. You can check them yourself or pop-by a Kal Tire location and they’ll check your tires and inflate them for free (personal use passenger & light truck vehicles only).

4. How are your wipers?

Streaky wiper blades? Best to get those replaced before conditions get very wet, muddy, and frosty. The rubber should be changed at least twice a year so it can effectively wipe away blowing snow and rain.

Summer heat can impact the soft rubber compound of the wiper blades. If the windshield wipers have to unstick from the windshield when you turn the wipers on, you’ll want to pay close attention to how well the wiper blades are performing. Changing the wiper blades before the wet fall weather is ideal because good visibility plays a huge part in keeping drivers safe during the darker winter months.

5. Top up your fluids

While you’ll be fuelled by hot chocolate and apple cider, your car will also need the right seasonal fluids. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid should all be on your list.

You can find a full winter-ready checklist from Kal Tire online, or pop by your local store for more info.

See nature shine at Bear Creek Park Lights this year with illuminated landscapes, whimsically lit creatures, and stunning photo opportunities at this free event November 3-17, 2023.

Bear Creek Park Lights

• Date: November 3 to November 17, 2023
  • Closed November 11 for Remembrance Day
• Time: 4:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Entry times are available every 30 minutes.
• Location: Bear Creek Park (13750 88 Ave, Surrey)
• Admission: Free! Tickets are required for entry, book online now.

Bear Creek Park Lights invites families to explore a one-kilometre walking loop adorned with enchanting light displays that beautifully enhance the park’s natural landscape.

Visitors can also take the opportunity to enjoy the free 30 minute guided Nature at Night Walk, shedding light on how animals thrive at night. Not all nature sleeps at night. Look for signs of nocturnal animals such as salmon, squirrels, and owls. These guided walks take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30pm and 7:00pm throughout the duration of the event.

In addition to the luminous displays and guided walks, an activity tent with family-friendly programming will be available. On Wednesdays, Surrey Libraries will host story time from 4:30pm to 7:30pm, providing a cozy atmosphere for young minds to explore the world of literature. November 4 and 12, enjoy the lively beats of a DJ at the children’s dance party. Food trucks will be onsite on select nights as well. For more information visit City of Surrey online.

Browse free/low-cost events around Vancouver »

Metropolis at Metrotown has announced Decathlon, the world-renowned French sporting goods brand, will open April 27, 2024.

Decathlon at Metropolis at Metrotown

The 38,000 square-foot space will be the 19th Decathlon location in Canada, expanding the brand’s footprint from coast-to-coast across the country. The newest flagship store will offer a wide selection of sporting goods alongside knowledgeable in-store experts.

Opening April 27, 2024, Decathlon at Metrotown is 2 storeys of sporting goods. The space features zones that highlights specific sports, with a focus on Vancouver staples such as hiking, camping and trekking. Local winter sports including skiing and snowboarding. Cycling and mountain biking in urban mobility and a water sports section. Decathlon features a year-round hiking and camping showroom, cycling showroom, play zones for table tennis, and workshop for tune-up and bike repairs. On display is a Vancouver-inspired mural painted by local artist Andrew McGuire celebrating athletes.

The Lumière Festival in Downtown Vancouver is celebrating its tenth year of illuminating dark nights with captivating artworks, projections, free performances, interactive workshops.

Lumière Festival Around Downtown Vancouver

• Date: November 2 – 6, 2023
• Admission: Free

This year, the free and accessible Lumière Festival will showcase a variety of artists and their works of art, including international artists from France, Poland and the United States. The interactive, light-based pieces will be displayed in locations across downtown Vancouver, the West End, Yaletown, and Gastown neighbourhoods, including:

Opening Night

To kick off the festivities, an open-air spectacle at šxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery, North Plaza) is planned for the evening of Thursday, November 2nd and will feature dynamic performances from Ember Arts, Elektric Collective and more.

“The 10th anniversary of Lumière represents a decade of artistic expression, community engagement, and the joy of experiencing our city in a new light,” says Deb Beaudreau, curator of the 10th annual festival. “I am honoured to be part of the journey this year, and can’t wait for everyone to see the incredible works of art and performances we have in store this November.”

Follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram for more info.

Browse free/low-cost events around Vancouver »

Megaphone Magazine’s 2024 Hope in Shadows Calendar launched at the Carnegie Community Centre last Thursday. Hope in Shadows is a photography project that shares the stories of people living in extreme poverty through their own lens. Finalists were celebrated at the 21st annual event, and street sales of the calendar by low-income and homeless vendors began.

2024 Hope in Shadows Calendar

This year, Megaphone’s Hope in Shadows Calendar engaged a record of 150 Downtown Eastside (DTES) community members to take photos of hope and resolve in the face of poverty with a disposable camera. The 2024 theme being: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood“.

Over 2,500 images were pared down by a community jury and voted on by the public over the summer. Last week, the 13 finalist images were awarded in a public forum and then the calendar went on sale to low-income vendors for $10 who sell it on the street for $20, keeping the profit.

The project challenges the stigma that surrounds poverty by making space for marginalized people to share their own experiences and perspectives. Additionally, it is a way for people with multiple barriers to traditional employment to generate a meaningful income, develop soft skills and act as ambassadors for the DTES community.

Since 2004, the Hope in Shadows project has put more than $1.7 million directly into the pockets of low-income vendors in BC.

Local volunteer and community member, Ali Kenny, won the cover photo for this year’s contest. Her image, “Friendship” features two DTES locals outside of The Drinkers’ Lounge, a community-managed alcohol program in the Downtown Eastside that supports those with alcohol use disorder.

Lisa Curry, Megaphone’s executive director, says the community shows up in force every year eager to express themselves through photography. “Over 5 days, 150 participants went out into the streets with a disposable camera in hand. We were elated by the response and even heard stories of friends and family being reconnected through this project. Hope in Shadows has a profound and immeasurable impact on the community.”

Get Yours Today

Megaphone street vendors in Vancouver are now selling the calendar. You can find and pay vendors directly with their smartphone using the Megaphone App, available for free download from the Apple and Google Play stores. You can also purchase the calendar, magazine, and notecards online and receive them via mail or in-person pick-up through Megaphone’s online store.

Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt has been a columnist for Megaphone since 2020.