Vexillologists rejoice! Long before Dr. Sheldon Cooper had Fun with Flags on the hit series, The Big Bang Theory, Susan Braverman’s mother, Doreen Braverman, founded The Flag Shop in Vancouver back in 1975. Susan, now the President of Textile Image and The Flag Shop, recently invited media to the leading manufacturer in Canada for flags leading up to the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag.

“We have all experienced the emotion and overwhelming sense of pride that occurs when the Canada flag is displayed for all to see. It is the symbol of Canada that brings us together as a country!” ~ Susan Braverman

The Flag Shop was the first retail flag shop in the world and all of their locations across Canada make their flags in-house.

I popped into the shop at 1615 Powell Street to browse the flag selection and chat with Hanna, who has been making flags since 1978. With the sounds of a sewing machine rumbling away in the background, she walked me through the process of making durable and strong Canadian flags, starting with the maple leaf appliqué which gets sewn onto a centre panel.

Unravelling folds of a newly finished flag, I was introduced to details such as ropes and toggles, velcro, grommets, sleeves, and extra stitching on the fly end.

The process has changed a lot in the last forty years, Hanna told me as she pointed to a giant frame for screen printing the Canadian flag that hung from the workshop’s rafters. These days someone can simply email you a file, with a high enough dpi, and they can turn it into a high-quality flag or banner. Even still, there is a lot of skill involved, especially when it comes to making a product that’s durable, and rendered correctly really large scales.

You can shop online and in-store for flags and banners of all shapes and sizes, for provinces and states, countries of the world, Vancouver 2010 Olympic flags, sports team flags (like these awesome new Whitecaps FC flags), pride flags, and more. It’s also the only place in Canada that you’ll find the transgender flag.

Today only, you can pick up a 3′ X 6′ appliqué sewn Canada flag for just $50 ahead of the 50th anniversary of the maple leaf flag we know and love, happening on February 15th.

100% Canadian owned with headquarters on Powell Street in Vancouver, The Flag Shop currently has 13 locations from coast to coast across Canada. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook for more information, and all of your flag needs!

Known as the Best Place to be on a Rainy Saturday, the Vancouver Farmers Market winter edition at Nat Bailey Stadium is hosting Food Truck February, bringing in the city’s best food trucks to compliment the seasonal offerings at the market.

Photo credit: Ruth Hartnup on Flickr

Food Truck February at Vancouver Farmers Market

Every truck will be challenged to create a delicious new Market Menu item using market products. Shoppers will decide who does it best. The trucks will submit sources for their Market Menu item ingredients and the winner is the one who uses the most ingredients from the farmers market.

Snap a shot of you at the market digging into your favourite Market Menu item and tag @vanmarkets and #foodtruckfeb. Every week they’ll pick a lucky winner of a Winter Market Survival Kit that includes a colourful Vancouver Farmers Market toque, umbrella and cozy coffee mug.

The winter market runs through April 25th, every Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Nat Bailey Stadium (4601 Ontario St). On February 14th and 28th the market will be across the street from Nat Bailey at Riley Park. For more information follow Vancouver Farmers Markets on Facebook and Twitter.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate, take your sweetheart’s hand, and enjoy a full day of romantic music at the Robson Square ice rink as Downtown Vancouver’s favourite free wintertime activity hosts a Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday, February 14, 2015.

Photo credit: Tim Shields on Flickr

Valentine’s Day at Robson Square Ice Rink

From 9:00am to 11:00pm romantic music will be the soundtrack for skaters at the Robson Square ice rink. The UBC Heart and Stroke Foundation Club will be providing hot chocolate by donation, and will accompanied by “Hearty” their mascot between 11:00am and 5:00pm.

Officiant Shawn Miller of Young, Hip and Married will also perform complimentary marriages and vow renewals between 2:00pm and 4:00pm! For marriages, all you need to do is bring your marriage license and services will be performed on a first come, first served basis.

It’s always free to skate at the Robson Square ice rink and skate rentals are available for $4.

One of the best things about living in Vancouver is the access the city gives us to the mountains, sea, and valleys nearby, including reasonable and reachable quick getaway destinations like Harrison Hot Springs. This is where you’ll find beautiful, natural settings and indulgent spa treatments within 90 minutes of eastbound travel on the highway.

Harrison Hot Springs Romance Package

Create a love affair to remember with a romantic British Columbia couples’ vacation package at Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Nestled among beautiful snowcapped peaks and tranquil lakes, the resort features everything you’ll need to create lasting memories.

Enjoy a side-by-side massage in the Healing Springs Spa, indulge in an evening of dinner and dancing at The Copper Room, relax in the hot springs pools, and wake up to a lazy breakfast.

Enter to Win

This is all a part of the Romance Package at Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, and they’re giving one of these packages away to a very lucky Miss604 reader.

Prize includes:

• One nights’ East Tower accommodations^*
• One Couple’s Massage at Healing Springs Spa
• Breakfast for two in the Lakeside Café
• Three Course Dinner for two in The Copper Room
• In-room amenity

How you can enter to win:

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

Follow Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their seasonal specials and packages. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, February 20, 2015.

^*Based on availability. Prize must be booked and used between Sunday to Thursday (except for holidays) by April 30, 2015.

Update The winner is Dan!

Working with the Mount Pleasant BIA over the years, visiting over 20 businesses each season for fun community promotions, I’ve walked up and down, from 18th to 7th, from Kingsway to Quebec, and one thing that always resonates is the unique passion that each business owner and organization member has for their neighbourhood. When it comes to Valentine’s Day – whether you’re searching for that perfect gift or experience, chances are you’ll find it in Mount Pleasant.

5 Valentine’s Day Gifts from Mount Pleasant

1. French Made Baking‘s macarons are the macarons that put Vancouver on the macaron map, if indeed such a map existed. For Valentine’s Day you can pick up a box of sweet and chewy heart-shaped macarons for your special someone but be sure to get there fast as they are bound to sell out. French Made Baking is also participating in the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival so if you’re not just popping in to pick up a treat, stay a while and enjoy 4 unique hot chocolate concoctions.

A photo posted by French Made Baking (@frenchmadebaking) on Dec 5, 2014 at 12:50pm PST

2. Looking for a more savoury treat? Rosemary Rocksalt is serving up heart-shaped bagels with pink rocksalt, $10.95/dz. Place order by end of day Friday the 13th by calling 604-874-4570 to guarantee your dozen.

3. For truly locally-inspired gifts Bird on a Wire and Much & Little are your go-to shops. Find everything from cotton towels, hand-forged scissors, silk dresses, soy candles, and dinner ware at Much & Little. Bird on a Wire carries products for him, her, baby, home and more. You’ll love their paper goods, scents from the Vancouver Candle Company, and crafter classes.

A photo posted by Bird on a Wire Creations (@birdonawireart) on Feb 7, 2015 at 2:22pm PST

4. The Brewery Creek Liquor Store has everything you need for a spirited Valentine’s Day with well over 800 craft brews from local and global standouts, a top notch selection of BC wines and bubbly, hard-to-find products, craft Vodkas and Tequilas with an ever-growing selection of Rums, Ryes, Bourbons, Single malt and Vatted-malt Scotches, as well as Blended Scotches, Irish Whiskeys, Gins, Brandy and Cognacs.

A photo posted by Brewery Creek (@brewerycreek) on Feb 10, 2015 at 4:20pm PST

5. Brunch it up! Mount Pleasant has so many incredible brunch spots from The Wallflower and Thyme to Indulge, to Caffee Rustico and Burgoo. Treat your sweetheart to hearty comfort foods or elevated, inspired cuisine with a cup of locally roasted coffee to start your day on the right note.

The Independent at Main

In the heart of all of this lovable neighbourhood, The Independent will grow, consisting of five architecturally distinct buildings, inspired by the building palate of Mount Pleasant.

It offers unmatched views, urban agricultural areas, over 300 bicycle parking stalls, dog run space and dog wash area for grooming, a fitness room, a workshop room with bike repair area, and more. Choose from many different suites types, from studios to 3 bedroom condos to suit the many different needs of those moving into this unique community — from young families, to single urban professionals, to downsizing couples. It’s close to the B-Line, Downtown and cross town buses, and the 10th Ave and Ontario bike lanes.

Opening previews for The Independent at Main start on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Sales Centre on the corner of Main and Broadway. Stop by to find out more and enjoy FREE snacks from Roaming Dragon food truck from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

Beginning February 14th the Sale Centre will be open from 12:00pm, to 5:00pm every day except Friday.