Whistler is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year although John and I most often find ourselves there in the summer, enjoying the hiking trails, parks, restaurants, and other alpine adventures. We’ve been fortunate enough to dine at some of the best-reviewed restaurants in this resort municipality and some of our most memorable experiences always lead us back to Araxi.
In 2011 we experienced first our longtable event with them in Pemberton at North Arm Farm and it’s one we’ll never forget. It gave a new meaning to “farm to table” cooking as we enjoyed the bounty of North Arm while sitting about 20 feet away from row upon row of crops. Araxi itself is located in the heart of Whistler Village and their outdoor summer longtable series has become an instant classic.
We joined them again this year at Lost Lake. Here’s our recap (my words and photos along with John’s photos) of the Araxi Longtable Dinner at Lost Lake with Quail’s Gate wines this summer:
Araxi Longtable Dinner at Lost Lake
Imagine, a four-course meal prepared with local, farm-fresh ingredients served up on colourful platters, paired with Okanagan wines at a table for over 100 people — in the middle of a grassy field at a lake-side community park in Whistler.
It was a hot and sticky summer day, I’d say about 25C with the sunshine beaming down and making me regret wearing a black top. The Lost Lake recreational area was packed with sunbathers, swimmers, families, hikers, paddle boarders, and all those who wanted to cool off in the crisp waters. From the parking lot we walked down a path until we saw white tents on a grassy slope, just off to the side of the main beach area. It was there that we signed in for the dinner and were met with cocktails and canapés.
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The Museum of Anthropology (“MOA”) at UBC quickly became one of my favourite places in Metro Vancouver after school field trip visits when I was younger. The history and artwork, the in-depth look at Northwest Coast culture, and the various galleries make the MOA an enchanting place for a visitor of any age. Their latest exhibit is on now until September 29th and it takes a look at works from across the ocean:
“The Melanesia Project” by Ralph Regenvanu
Paradise Lost?
Contemporary Works from the Pacific
This new exhibition breaks through the tiki kitsch and tourist misrepresentations of the diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands oft found in Hollywood. For Paradise Lost? Contemporary Works from the Pacific, MOA Curator Dr. Carol Mayer has gathered an esteemed group of 13 contemporary artists from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Vanuatu.
Working in video, installation, sculpture, weaving, painting, and photography, these artists show the Pacific Islands from an insider’s perspective. Their artworks explore environmental concerns, cultural heritage issues, questions relating to the experience of migration and diaspora, and the intersection of Indigenous belief systems and Western religions.
The artists featured are George Nuku, Te Rongo Kirkwood, Greg Semu, Pax Jakupa Jr., Michael Timbin, Tom Deko, Cathy Kata, Shigeyuki Kihara, Ralph Regenvanu, Rosanna Raymond, Moses Jobo, Eric Natuoivi, and David Ambong.
The MOA galleries and shop (at 6393 NW Marine Drive at UBC) are open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm and until 9:00pm on Tuesdays.
If you would like to visit the Paradise Lost? exhibit I have a pair of passes to give away (valid until September 29, 2013). Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow the Museum of Anthropology on Twitter and Facebook for more information about this exhibit and other happenings at the museum. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 5:00pm on Thursday, August 22, 2013.
Update The winner is Heidi!
It has been 7 years since I first wrote a blog post about the Nine O’Clock Gun in Stanley Park. It’s one of those things that my husband and I walk by and he says to me: “You should blog that!” — and thanks to his suggestions over the years I’ve “blogged that” over 5,570 times, but I digress. The boom of the Nine O’Clock Gun is a part of life in Vancouver, just like the O Canada! Heritage Horns at Canada Place that chime at noon. Firing in Vancouver since 1898, today’s Vancouver Icons photo post features the Nine O’Clock Gun:
1930: Archives #St Pk P121, Leonard Frank Photos.
Nine O’Clock Gun
The cannon was more than 70 years old before it ever got to Vancouver. What had it been doing all that time? Probably poking out of the side of a British ship, but there’s no record of what ship, or where the ship served. Back around 1816, most of Britain’s troubles seemed to be happening inside its own borders … but India was being subdued and maybe the gun saw service there.
[Read more from Chuck Davis: History of Metropolitan Vancouver]
1943: Archives #CVA 586-1645.
Why was the cannon set up in the park? The usual explanation is that it was originally installed by the federal department of fisheries to be shot off at 6pm to alert salmon fishermen in the harbor that it was closing time for fishing. Some variants of that add it was used for that reason on Sundays only. Then, the story continues, as fishermen moved farther out of the harbor in pursuit of fish, the use of the gun for signalling the fishing curfew became an anachronism, but it was decided to retain the gun as a time signal with the boom re-scheduled to 9pm.
[Read more from Chuck Davis: History of Metropolitan Vancouver]
Previous Vancouver Icons posts: Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.
Metro Vancouver’s only garlic festival is coming up on Sunday, August 25th at The Sharing Farm, a non-profit farm that is run by community members for community members. The Sharing Farm Garlic Festival is also the largest agriculturally-based festival in Richmond.
Photo credit: The Sharing Farm
This free, family-friendly festival will bring together all things garlic along with cooking demonstrations from West Restaurant and Graze Restaurant, live entertainment from the Sybaritic String Band, exhibitors, community partners and… garlic ice cream!
What: The 5th Annual Sharing Farm Garlic Festival
Where: Terra Nova Park at 2631 Westminster Hwy in Richmond
When: Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Steveston Pizza will be making an exclusive garlic creation in the cob oven and Earnest Ice Cream will be serving up treats. Garlic lovers will rejoice with Italian Softneck and Traditional Harneck as well. Kids will love the garlic-themed craft station and there will be plenty of opportunities to stock up on garlic to take hope.
The Sharing Farm grows food to feed Richmond families in need. The Farm is run by community members for community members, and is dedicated to providing fresh, healthy, local produce to our less fortunate neighbours. The Sharing Farm operates on a tiny budget, but thanks to the generosity of our over 1,000 yearly volunteers and the devotion of a small core of part-time staff, the Farm is able to provide thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables every year to community meals throughout the city and the Richmond Food Bank.
Find out more about the festival and The Sharing Farm by following along on Twitter and Facebook.
Motionball is hosting a daytime fundraising gala in support of Special Olympics Canada Foundation (“SOCF”) on Sunday, August 25th at The Keg in Yaletown. The Port and Starboard Brunch, presented by AIR MILES, will be a swanky Hamptons-style event with a “chic nautical” dress code, delicious canapes and chilled mimosas — all for a great cause.
Date: Sunday August 25th, 2013
Time: 10:00am to 3:30pm
Where: Keg Yaletown @ 1011 Mainland St
Tickets: Available online for $60
The Port and Starboard Brunch will be hosted by TSN’s Cabral “Cabbie” Richards and your ticket includes two drinks, canapés, door prizes, games, entertainment and ticket to the after party.
motionball’s mandate is to introduce the next generation of volunteers and donors to the Special Olympics movement through integrated social and sporting events, creating relevant, meaningful experiences that help bring the fun back into giving. Since its inception in 2002, motionball is organizing events in 7 Canadian cities and as a result of the many individuals, partners and organizations who have supported the movement over the past several years, motionball delivered to the SOCF its original financial goal of its first donated $1 million four years ahead of its planned schedule. motionball has currently donated over $3,260,000 net.
If you would like to attend, I have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Motionball Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their local fundraisers. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 5:00pm on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly.
