Welcome summer and sunshine at the Sea to Sky Gondola this Saturday! The province’s newest attraction, with epic panoramic views of Howe Sound and surrounding mountains — including the legendary Stawamus Chief — is hosting a Summer Soltice celebration tomorrow.

Where Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish
When Saturday, June 21, 2014 from 9:00am to 10:00pm

The first activity will start at 9:30am with the first ever trail-running event on the grounds, the Skyline Ridge Run. Runners can chose between a 10km or 21km distance course. The celebration will continue into the evening with a pre-registered sun salutation and sunset yoga, fireside chats and night summer beats.

Sea to Sky Gondola Summer Solstice

Local DJ Sheila will kick off the sunset music series, which will take place at the Gondola summit every Friday night in July and August from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Every Friday and Saturday this summer the Summit Lodge will also host a local three course menu for $19.95 which you can enjoy in the lodge or out on the deck to take in more of the views.

From my Sea to Sky Gondola visit

Win Passes for the Summer Solstice

If you would like to check out the Sea to Sky Gondola’s lineup of activities tomorrow, I have a pair of lift passes 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)
• Re-gram this post on Instagram including @SeaToSkyGondola + @Miss604 (1 entry)

As the event is tomorrow I will wrap up this contest at 4:00pm today (Friday, June 20, 2014). Prize passes are valid only for June 21, 2014. If the winner drawn today cannot use the passes tomorrow, a new winner will be drawn at random from all entries. Follow the Sea to Sky Gondola on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Update The winner is Vania!

Whalley’s Corner Community Festival will take place during the city-wide Surrey Doors Open event on Saturday, June 21st.

1930s & 1950s: Whalley’s Corner. Surrey Archives F83-0-0-0-0-0-0-2 & F83-0-0-0-0-0-0-33.

Ever wonder why the northwest corner of Surrey became known as Whalley? You can find out by participating in Surrey Doors Open event on Saturday, June 21 from 11am-4pm. It’s an opportunity to see the City in a whole new light.

Start your “tourist in your city” day at Whalley’s Corner Community Festival. The name Whalley’s Corner dates back to 1920s when Arthur Whalley opened a gas station in the area. This corner gas station became a hub of activity and the area began to thrive, spreading the name “Whalley” with it.

This event is unique in its blending of the past with the present. Whalley’s Corner Community Festival invites the community to celebrate the history of the area while at the same time showcasing current local businesses and vendors. It is not only a celebration of what the area was, but what it is today.

The festival will have an antique car show, exhibitors, food vendors, live music and entertainment, and a variety of children’s activities. Since it’s part of Surrey Doors Open, you can also take the free shuttle to and from Whalley’s Corner to over 40 other participating sites on Saturday. Download the Surrey Doors Open Guide (PDF) for more information.

Whalley’s Corner Community Festival will run from 11:00am until 5:00pm on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the intersection of Grosvenor Rd and Whalley Blvd – a short walk up from Gateway Skytrain.

The Kitsilano Showboat has begun its 79th season of free entertainment in Vancouver, running Monday, June 23rd until Saturday, August 16th. Since 1935 this summer staple has featured musical acts, plays, and dancers all near the pool at Kitsilano Beach.

Kitsilano Showboat Summer 2014

Photo credit: kpwerker on Flickr

Events are every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:00pm. Performances confirmed already include Stave Falls Scottish Dancers, Peggy Peat School of Dance & Scandinavian Dancers of Vancouver, Artist Evelyn Roth, Harmonies to Go & D’Hercy Dance Company, and Kalaya Polynenian.

On Canada Day enjoy special programming beginning at 3:00pm with an all-ages Yogabuttons class and continuing through the evening with Max Tell, Polonez Polish Folk Dance and Bob Liley & the Sanctuary All Stars.

Photo credit: Mark Faviell Photos on Flickr

Find the Kitsilano Showboat at 2300 Cornwall (at Kitsilano Beach) in Vancouver, and online on Facebook and Twitter.

The Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver has launched for the 19th year, giving the people of Vancouver a voice and the chance to support their favourite businesses, organizations, services, and personalities. There are 277 questions on this year’s online ballot, within a comprehensive range of categories.

Vote Now in the Best of Vancouver

There are also a few new categories this year like Best Food Truck and Best Instagram Account (the latter needs to be re-grammed on Instagram). Last year’s winners included Best Music Festival (Vancouver Folk Music Festival), Local Hero (Trevor Linden), Best Local TV News Anchor (Chris Gailus, Global), Best Neighbourhood (Kitsilano), and Best Restaurant (Chambar Restaurant).

From our trip to Kāʻanapali, Maui in 2012

For a little incentive, when you cast your ballot (including 30 or more answers) you will be entered to win a trip for two to the world-famous Kāʻanapali Beach Resort in Maui, Hawaii.

Deadline to vote in the Best of Vancouver is Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 5:00pm. Follow the Georgia Straight on Twitter along with the tag #BestofVan for more information.

Surrey’s Central City area is growing every day, providing a balance of work, life, and activities within a solid downtown core. You have access to transit, shopping, education, recreation and now a skyline showcasing modern design even the largest urban centres would be proud to showcase. The upcoming WYND high-rise, within walking distance of Central City, will offer the most three bedroom homes in the area along with leading edge architecture and extra large, curving balconies.

WYND offers a fresh take on modern design with its curving 28-storey tower now under construction in the growing metropolis of Central City. The new high rise is offering the most three bedroom homes in the area and WYND also features balconies up to four times the size of the standard Metro Vancouver condo, increasing the living space but not the purchase price.

With one bedrooms starting at $199,000, WYND will have 237 suites and nine ground-floor townhomes. Building amenities include a rooftop deck, landscaped courtyard with BBQ, fitness room, event and games room, children’s play area, workshop and craft room, bike maintenance room, car wash, urban garden plots and even a pet wash and grooming area.

Having been an apartment dweller for the last decade, I love the concept of extra large balconies, sweeping views (the views of the mountains from Surrey are fantastic), urban garden space, and even the pet wash area (well, if I had a pet). Not to mention this is also located very close to where I grew up so the area has a special place in my heart. I’m glad to see so much life breathed into this region.

WYND Living at Central City Giveaway

To promote WYND’s incredible design and spacious living options, I have a Central City prize package to give away (valued at over $300) that includes the following items that will all come in handy in this neighbourhood:

• $100 to Central City Shopping Centre
• $60 to Central City Brew Pub & Restaurant
• $50 to Target at Central City
• $50 to Best Buy at Central City
• And a book of Translink 3-Zone FareSaver tickets

Here is how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment naming what you would do with up to 333 square feet of balcony space (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 5:00pm on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Follow Rize on Twitter and Facebook for more information about WYND and their other developments in Metro Vancouver.

Update The winner is @sumireyan on Twitter!