The Vancouver Block Building marks 100 years on Granville this year and according to a Twitter update from user @jesswads to Bob from Vancouver is Awesome, there was cake to celebrate this week. With its neon clock and photogenic white tower, it’s today’s Vancouver Icon photo feature:
(Left) 1910s Archives item# M-11-77. (Right) 1920s Archives item# Str N185.
The building, at 736 Granville Street, is currently owned by Equitable Real Estate: “Completed in 1912, the Vancouver Block is one of Vancouver’s most distinctive landmarks. Characterized by the large illuminated clock tower set atop its fifteen-storey height, the Vancouver Block was one of the most impressive structures designed by the prolific architectural firm of Parr & Fee.”
“The heritage value of the Vancouver Block lies in its location near the intersection of Granville and Georgia streets in downtown Vancouver, as a symbol of the Edwardian optimism and rapid growth in Vancouver’s economy and urban fabric in the early twentieth century, in its association with the architectural firm of Parr and Fee, in its landmark status, and in its unique representation of the Edwardian Commercial style.” [Historic Places]
“The Vancouver Block was built by Dominic Burns, whose brother Pat built Burns Meats into a cross-Canada powerhouse. Burns hired prominent architects John Parr and Thomas Fee to design a 17-storey building that stretched over three lots and soared 265 feet into the sky.”
“The clock face is 21 feet in diameter, was made of sand-blasted glass, and weighed two tons when it was installed. In 1927, the familiar red and blue neon was added. For many years, the clock was topped by neon signs for three gas companies, “76” (Union Oil), Shell and B/A (British-American).” [Vancouver Sun]
Back in 1998 the neon was removed from the clock, only to return 2 years later. Frances Bula found the answer to this mystery.
Other Vancouver Icons posts include: 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.
Brentwood Town Centre celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and now it’s helping Burnaby Hospital celebrate its 60-year milestone with the gift of health for thousands of patients through the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
Brentwood has decorated a 25-foot Giving Tree to celebrate the holidays, under which you can purchase festive candle holders. Until December 24th you can pick up a small ($8) or large ($20) candle holder with proceeds supporting Burnaby Hospital’s highest priority equipment needs.
You can also make an online donation to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation through the Brentwood Town Centre campaign. The foundation was established in 1982 to raise financial resources needed for life saving diagnostic, surgical, and medical equipment, innovative tools for patient care, and other community healthcare needs.
Brentwood is conveniently located at Willingdon and Lougheed, and is accessible from the Brentwood Millenium Line SkyTrain station. They have anchor stores like London Drugs, Zellers, and Sears along with clothing and accessory shops, Bryan’s Bride, Ricki’s/Bootlegger, American Eagle Outfitters, Carlton Cards, Coles Books, Starbucks, and more. The IHOP is my favourite breakfast spot when I drop off my car for servicing in the area every few months. You can’t go wrong with pancakes, free WIFI, and some shopping.
Triple O’s recently launched their new Giant Burger in honor of the Vancouver Giants. It packs a whallop with beef, bacon, and pulled pork rolled into one mega-bite from the legendary burger maker.
In partnership with the Vancouver Giants, Triple O’s stores around the Lower Mainland are giving away 2-for-1 vouchers for Vancouver Giants home games and are running a contest for a lucky guest to win tickets to join 24 of their closest friends at a Vancouver Giants home game.
Triple O’s has locations is Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Chilliwack, and in roadtrip stops like Hope, Penticton, Kamloops and Kelowna. If you would like to try out the Giant Burger and other great menu offerings from Triple O’s I have a $50 gift certificate 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)
I will draw one contest winner at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012. Follow Triple O’s on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about their menu, locations, and special deals.
Please note that Triple O’s gift certificates are not valid at outlets such as Rogers Arena, Pacific Coliseum, The PNE, on BC Ferries, River Rock Casino or Boulevard Casino. They are available at all other Triple O’s restaurants including Chevron locations.
Update The winner is @Chat2Michelle!
The 3rd Annual Community Christmas Craft Fair, supporting Downtown Eastside women, returns Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Woodward’s.
The crafters are women who have been going through drug treatment, living in shelters, accessing drop-in centres, and living in the neighbourhood.
The women have spent one day a week crafting this fall (at the Window Community Art Shop, the Rainier Women’s Treatment Center, and the Drug Users Resource Centre) in the hopes of selling their creations at the fair.
Crafts are affordably priced (over 80% are under $20) and tables at the Community Christmas Craft Fair are free to the vendors so proceeds from purchases go directly to them. Every customer who makes a purchase receives a free gift (while supplies last), mail out a greeting for free at the holiday card table, enjoy hot chocolate, bring the kids, and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to supervise — and pose for photos. You can also bring a donation to contribute to holiday gifts for the homeless and marginally housed community members this season.
Photo credit:
Stv. on Flickr
Stop by the fair at Woodward’s (126 West Hastings) in the atrium between London Drugs and Nesters. It will be open from 12:00pm until 5:00pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012. Follow the Community Christmas Craft Fair on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Grouse Mountain is the Peak of Christmas in Vancouver with mountain-top ice skating, skiing, Santa’s reindeer and other snowy adventures with sweeping views high above the city.
A fire crackling in the outdoor pit, the scraping of skate blades on the ice, fresh powder falling from the sky, and the aroma of Beaver Tails wafting through the crisp mountain air. Once you purchase your lift ticket on the world-famous Grouse Mountain Sky Ride you have access to all Peak of Christmas activities, until December 24th, like visiting Santa’s reindeer Dancer and Vixen, ice skating, Christmas movies in the Chalet, a brand new Gingerbread Village this year in the Chalet and reindeer crafts including antler decorating.
You can also purchase to special events like Breakfast with Santa or head out on a snowshoe adventure. Warm up with a hot chocolate from Lupins or the Grouse Grind Coffee Bar or stop in for a bite at Altitudes Bistro or The Observatory.
If you would like to experience the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain this season I have a family prize pack available that includes: A Family Peak of Christmas Ticket (2 adults, 2 children), ice skating rentals, and a $50 Grouse Mountain gift card.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite snowy-day activity (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012. The gift card can be used in any retail store or food and beverage outlet on the mountain with the exception of Starbucks. Follow Grouse Mountain on Facebook and Twitter for more information about events, activities, and conditions this season.
Update The winner is Ai Ling!
