Whalley’s Corner Community Festival

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

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

whalleyscorner WhalleysCorner2
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.

Kitsilano Showboat Summer 2014

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

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

Kitsilano Showboat
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.

Kitsilano Showboat
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.

Vote Now in the Best of Vancouver

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

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

bestofvancouver

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).

Panorama from our balcony #Maui #Kaanapali #Hawaii
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.

WYND Living at Central City Giveaway

Comments 195 by Rebecca Bollwitt

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.

WYNDLiving

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.

WYNDLiving-BuildingWYND’s highly efficient design including a sliding wall system that allows residents to transform their homes, giving homeowners the room and rooms they need. The sequel to Rize Alliance’s first Central City tower, Wave, WYND reflects the best of Wave, and responds to buyer’s feedback to increase the number efficient 2 bedroom plus den floor plans that allows two full bedrooms plus an extra room that’s ideal for an office or kid’s playroom.

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)
RT to enter to win a #WYNDLiving Central City prize pack from @RizeAlliance + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/yc8qi

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!

Chefs Across the Water June 2014 Recap and Photos

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Views are my own. I was a guest of Hastings House for this event. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

The first Chefs Across the Water event of the year at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island took place Monday, June 16th with Chef Chris Stewart of Mission Hill Winery.

Chef Stewart arrived on the island from Kelowna to prepare a five course dinner to match wine selections which were decided upon before the menu, which is the opposite of the usual procedure for pairing dinners. In this case it worked splendidly as we began with crisp summer sips and ended the night with a bold Hastings House wine cellar gem, all complimented with Chef Stewart’s fresh and seasonal creations.

Chefs Across the Water with Executive Chef Chris Stewart of Mission Hill Winery

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

As Executive Winery Chef, Chef Stewart oversees Mission Hill‘s entire culinary program; including mentorship for the brigade at the Terrace Restaurant, hosting fine dining events, and designing the curriculum for Mission Hill’s culinary education program. He works hand in hand with local farmers and purveyors who grow organic produce and fruit specifically for the winery kitchens, all of which are complemented by herbs and vegetables from the winery’s organic varietal gardens.

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island
First: Rosé & Garlic Brined Cherries
Paired with: Mission Hill 2013 Five Vineyards Rosé

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island
Second: Caramelized Baby Scallop Salad
Paired with: Mission Hill 2012 Reserve Riesling

A plump scallop with fresh peas to add a crisp and creamy element were perfectly paired with the Reserve Riesling, adding aromatic depth to the dish.

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island
Third: Baked Halibut & Roasted Carrot
Paired with: Mission Hill 20132 Martin’s Lane Viognier

I am always a fan of halibut and this portion was baked to perfection, it was succulent as it slipped apart, ready to pair its buttery notes with glossy roasted carrots.

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island
Fourth: Sloping Hills Pork Loin & Truffled Lentil
Paired with: Mission Hill 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir

A versatile pork loin can be led in various directions and with this dish it was gently dipped into a pool of rich, earthy flavours with the truffled lentil.

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island
Dessert: Chocolate Savarin & Blackberry Gel
Paired with: Mission Hill Oculus 2007, which our dinner companion from Mark Anthony Brands told us was one of the very best Canadian wines ever produced.

The dessert looked deconstructed but the cake, cream, and chocolate made a single statement. I didn’t get as much of the blackberry gel on my palette but I was too preoccupied with the chocolate and the wine pairing to notice at the time. The Oculus could have been enjoyed on its own, with its opening being its own special occasion, but it was a very classy and luxurious way to cap off the evening.

Following the meal Chef Stewart came out to greet guests and he told us a bit more about his suppliers, including Wise Earth Farm in Kelowna. Generally on Salt Spring Island the answer to “where did you get this ingredient” is usually “just out back in our garden” but it was nice to see Chef Stewart not only use island produce but also introduce us to his favourites around his home base.

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

It’s always a treat to get away to Salt Spring Island, if even for a quick 24-hour period. The last time I soaked up a Ganges Harbour sunrise was last December at Hastings House. In the winter I took delight in piling wood on the fire in our room as we looked out at twisting arbutus trees pointing the way to the harbour. Now that it’s summer, morning walks on the dew-soaked lawn and photographing fuzzy honeybees loading themselves up in the multicoloured garden blossoms were keys to unwinding.

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

The next Chefs Across the Water 5-course dinner will be on Monday, September 15, 2014 with Chef Angun An of Maenam Restaurant in Vancouver at Hastings House. You can get to Salt Spring Island via BC Ferries or by taking a quick 35 minute float plane ride. Be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible (call 1-800-661-9255) and plan your dinner getaway to Salt Spring Island.