Yesterday the Vancouver Public Library gave media access to their rooftop green space at the Central Branch in downtown Vancouver. This 28,000 square foot “garden in the sky” served as the perfect stage for their strategic plan announcement that includes intentions to expand community spaces, create dynamic collaboration zones, and offer high-tech creation spaces for their nearly 350,000 active card holders across 22 locations.
From the sky, the green roof of the Central Branch looks like a river, which is part of the aesthetic that was created when the iconic building first opened in 1995. The rooftop garden is covered in native BC plants and grasses, along with a resident family of geese that spends its time meandering through the bushes overlooking Crosstown, Yaletown, False Creek and BC Place.
The Central Branch also has a north and south plaza, accessible from the 8th floor. In the long-term plan (2015 onward), these open-air courtyards and even the roof will become community spaces where patrons can step outside and enjoy library services in the sunshine. For now, they symbolize the mindset of the library, moving forward to serve the public and offer modern amenities.
Over the next three years the library has significant plans:
Launch bold new ways to deliver service – when and where patrons want it:
At the central library, for instance, library staff enabled by mobile technology will soon come to patrons (not the other way around) to help them where and when needed in the building.
Among other initiatives:
Create new and re-energized community spaces – including new and redeveloped branches (Downtown Eastside/Strathcona, for instance, and Oakridge and Marpole);
Continue planning for the long-awaited “garden in the sky” – access to the green space on the roof of the central library downtown – something originally planned, but not yet realized;
Explore use of digital interfaces so VPL is a platform for community creativity and knowledge to showcase Vancouver’s history, stories and memory:
A digital media space (3,000 square feet) dubbed VPL’s Inspiration Lab is planned to open at the central library in late 2014, and could potentially include a digital recording studio, video editing software and workstations, an interactive music lab and more;
Re-engage users who may not have used the library for some time, and enhance access to library collections, staff expertise and VPL’s community space with nearly 2,300 more opening hours a year system-wide – equivalent to roughly 285 eight-hour opening days.
Chief Librarian, Sandra Singh says that VPL has an extensive network of fee-free public spaces across the city — 22 in all offering more than 500,000 square feet of space — but roughly half of its branches are still closed two days a week and many are closed in the evenings. You can read the full strategic plan outline on the Vancouver Public Library website and follow them on Twitter @VPL for news, special events and announcements, and information.
Samsung Canada is hosting launch parties for the new Galaxy S4 in cities tomorrow from coast to coast and Vancouver is on the list. Hosted by Jesse Giddings, the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch party in Vancouver will feature STARS for a live performance at the Rocky Mountaineer train station.
Redefining the smartphone experience, the Samsung Galaxy S4 allows users to connect with friends and family from near and far in exciting ways. To celebrate this connected experience, Samsung Canada is previewing the device to Canadian consumers with an integrated tri-city exclusive launch experience. Montreal will have a live performance by Dragonette, STARS will play Vancouver, and Walk Off-The-Earth will headline the Toronto event. Canadian fans in all three events will also be treated to a special technological experience with acclaimed Canadian musician – Feist.
If you would like to attend the launch party I have 5 pairs of tickets up for grabs. Since the event is in less than 24 hours, you’ll only have until 10:00am tomorrow to enter to win. Here’s how:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win your way into the @SamsungCanada #GS4Canada launch party in Vancouver from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/koKDu
Doors open at 5:00pm on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station (1755 Cottrell Street) in Vancouver. These tickets are not being sold so you can only win your way in. I will draw 5 winners (who can each bring a guest) at 10:00am on the day of the event.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is available to pre-order from Canadian carriers and retail partners with device pick-up commencing on April 27th, and in-store availability starting May 3rd. When it’s launched in Canada, two color options will be available – Black Mist and White Frost; with additional color options to follow later this year. For further product information and availability, please visit the Samsung Canada website, and follow Samsung Canada on Facebook and Twitter.
Update The winners are: Philip S, Ed Lau, Sarah C, @goolsofjewels!
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Our meal was compliments of Cibo Trattoria. Views are my own. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Sounds of a city rushing by outside fades as you step into Cibo Trattoria located inside the Moda Hotel in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district. This boutique hotel’s Italian-themed culinary gem offers a comfortable and romantic oasis with candles, smooth music, and bottles of wine adorning the walls. John and I were recently invited to Cibo to check out their Spring Lamb Festival (featuring Fraser Valley lamb). Boasting local and BC-grown ingredients, this tasting menu is paired with Nk’Mip Cellars wine from Osoyoos in the South Okanagan — recently voted #1 BC Winery by Wine Access Magazine.
Cracking the crunchy exterior of the lamb belly’s crisp shell revealed a tender and succulent core. The salsa verde was a light contrast to the darker meat and the pinot blanc played with the lighter notes of the garnish. The carpaccio was elegantly paired with smashed peas which instantly tickle your tongue with the taste of spring. My favourite garnish of the meal was the crispy rosemary which I bundled up with the ricotta and a thin slice of lamb into one bite-sized morsel after another.
Primi
Anolini of minted ricotta, Tuscan lamb braise, ricotta salata
Paired with Mk’Mip Quam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Secondi
Roast Leg of Lamb with new potatoes, cipollini onions, rosemary, and honey
Paired with Nk’Mip Mer’r’iym 2009
John and I both agreed that we could have the anolini for dinner on every rainy day in this city and we would be quite content. This heavenly dish was a bowl full of saucy, cheesy, meaty goodness and unfortunately my photo of it did not turn out. I could have snapped a shot of John’s plate though, which he pretty much licked clean. The final lamb dish was much lighter than I expected with the lamb served in moist slices on top of a bed of potato and onions. I could have used a bit more moisture on the potatoes but the honey, onions, and juicy lamb medallions did help offset that.
Dolci
How do you finish off a five-course lamb pairing dinner? Executive Chef Faizal Kassam found just the right thing: Pine nut semifreddo, with orange, chocolate, mint. The citrus and mint were just the right flavour combination to compliment the meaty meal and the pine nuts added a welcomed crunch and texture to the bowl. Dessert was paired with Nk’Mip’s Qwam Qwmt Riseling Ice Wine 2011.
The service was impeccable (with the same attention given to the small family next to us) and at the end of our meal we were given the option to adjourn to the adjacent Uva Wine Bar. Completely stuffed from an evening of indulgence with great food and wine, we declined but will keep the option in mind for our next date night.
There are just a few short days left to enjoy the Spring Lamb Festival at Cibo, which runs until the end of April. Make your reservations today and look for more fresh ideas from Cibo’s kitchen each month. The multi-course lamb dinner is $69 and you can add the Nk’Mip wine pairings for $59 (plus applicable taxes). Lamb dishes are available a la carte and wines are available by the glass as well.
Cibo is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at 900 Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver. With its proximity to the Orpheum, Commodore, and the Vogue Theatre it’s a fitting pre (or post) show date destination. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter for menu updates and information.
Better Together is a non-profit online community forum (in partnership with the BC Dairy Association and the Ministry of Health) that celebrates family togetherness at mealtimes and on May 1st, they’re launching their 4th annual Hands-On Cook-Off.
The purpose of this social forum is to encourage people to cook and eat together, as the research shows that children and adults who eat together enjoy many important benefits-school performance, better health, social skills, etc. The contest is a fun way to get this message out.
To enter the Hands-On Cook-Off, submit a 3 minute video (or less) of two or more people teaming up to host their own cooking show, making a favourite recipe. Participants in the video should be either of two generations (enter in the Multigenerational category) or at least two youth (enter in the Youth category). They can be preparing breakfast, BBQ, pizza, salad, snacks, or any other home-cooked food.
The contest will be open for entries from May 1, 2013 to June 2, 2013 and then the public will be able to vote on their favourite videos. There are some great cash prizes to be handed out on top of hundreds of dollars in grocery gift certificates. Winners will be announced in each category as well as a public vote/people’s choice category. All videos that don’t win any of the other prizes will be entered in the random draw to win a $500 grocery gift certificate.
We’re getting the word out now so that you can be sure to enter during the contest period and have your video presentation down. See the Better Together website for full contest rules, regulations, and prize information.
To spread the word about the contest, Better Together has offered up another awesome prize just for one lucky Miss604 reader — a KitchenAid Artisan Mixer (like the one my grandmother had in her kitchen, but brand new of course).
Here’s how you can enter to win the mixer thanks to Better Together’s Hands-On Cook-Off:
Leave a comment naming a favourite food item you like to make at home (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Check out the @bettertogether #handsoncookoff contest + RT to enter to win a KitchenAid Mixer from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/kmpz0
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Prize may not be exactly as shown in image above. Follow Better Together on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their family, food, and fun campaigns.
Yesterday the winners of Vancouver Magazine’s 24th Annual Vancouver Restaurant Awards were announced during a ceremony at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Hosted by Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford, industry members and media were on hand to sip, sample, and tweet about the winners. There are over three dozen categories, with all those honoured listed on the Vancouver Magazine website. A few are featured below:
From hot dogs to macarons, ramen to pho, and sushi to tandoori, Vancouver’s restaurant scene is thriving with fresh culinary creations and timeless treats. View a full list of winners and runners-up on the Vancouver Magazine website including special award categories like Ingredient of the Year, Green Award, Producer/Supplier and more.
To spread the word about the contest, Better Together has offered up another awesome prize just for one lucky Miss604 reader — a 
