The Vancouver Maritime Museum is one of the institutions that got me hooked on museums when I was young thanks to class trips. Feeding my brain, learning about the world outside my own community, and discovering what was once possible to achieve – and what could be accomplished. They have just launched an excellent campaign to beat the early winter blues by offering free admission for the next five Thursdays in a row.
From 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursdays from November 15, 2012 to December 13, 2012 the Vancouver Maritime Museum will offer free admission. Check out permanent collections and the new LURED exhibit:
LURED presents the work of renowned contemporary artists Stan Douglas, Uriel Orlow and Allan Sekula alongside Vancouver Maritime Museum objects and archival material. Together they provide unique perspectives on the maritime shipping industry –– its origins, consumer desire and the risks taken by the ‘invisible’ seafarers who work to meet those demands. LURED is a collaborative exhibit between the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Charles H. Scott Gallery, Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
Follow the Vancouver Maritime Museum on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about their programs and exhibits.
The Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival is happening over the next four weekends around the scenic Harrison. Surrounded by mountains, glacier-fed rivers, and valley pastures, the bald eagle festival is a great time to explore the region while witnessing the world’s largest gathering of these magnificent birds.
Stop in at the Mission Chamber of Commerce on your way to the Inch Creek Hatchery or visit the Kilby Historic Site for exhibitor talks then watch for eagles at the estuary via Tapadra Estates. Each weekend will have and information centre, suggested spots for eagle viewing, and featured locations for exhibits, talks and activities.
You can also book a boat tour in advance out of Harrison Hot Springs. John and I did a Harrison and Fraser River eco-tour by boat one year and it was very informative. We loved exploring the beautiful region from the water and although we didn’t spot any eagles at the time (it was in July) we did see Osprey.
Download the full festival guide here for information about events and speakers. Check the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival website weekly to find out more about featured locations and activities, and follow the festival on Facebook.
It was on this day, November 12, 1938, that the Lions Gate Bridge opened to foot traffic — with little fanfare — and it opened to vehicle traffic on November 14th. It wasn’t until May 26, 1939 that the bridge was officially opened by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
1948, Photographer: Walter Edwin Frost, Archives Item #CVA 447-129 & 2010, Photo credit:
Junnn on Flickr
In honor of the day the vehicles first took the drive across the iconic span, Lions Gate Bridge Construction is today’s photo feature:
Explore more photos from the Vancouver Public Library and the Vancouver Archives in person and online.
I was recently asked what my favourite events were to cover and aside from concerts, awards ceremonies, and community festivals (especially those I partner with as a sponsor), I have to say that pairing dinners are near the top of my list.
In addition to a lovely dinning experience with my husband at one of Vancouver’s remarkable restaurants, these events often showcase local ingredients and the chefs that highlight them on their plates. They also shine a spotlight on our province’s wine regions like the South Okanagan. There just happens to be one of these events taking place in Yaletown on Tuesday and I’d love to send one lucky Miss604 reader and a guest to take part.
What: Meat the Grape Pairing Dinner Series with Le Vieux Pin
Where: Killjoy (1120 Hamilton Street)
When: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm
Details: Killjoy will be serving two styles of Le Vieux Pin wine along with a special selection from the winemaker. Rasoul Salehi, general manager of Le Vieux Pin and sister winery LaStella will be leading the evening and sharing his knowledge and passion for South Okanagan grapes.
Tickets are on sale now for $30 for this event that includes a multi-course charcuterie sampling dinner (from Donnelly Group development chef Alvin Pillay) with wine pairings.
Here’s how you can win your way into this event:
- Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite wine pairing (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 12:00pm. Must be 19+ to enter and attend. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe trip home.
Update The winner is Ariel!
My first encounter with Chloe Angus Designs was back in 2008, upon first meeting actress (and now very close friend and colleague) Kristine Cofsky at the Toronto International Film Festival. A film she was the lead in, When Life Was Good, was premiering at the festival, and every night, at a different party, she was wearing the most spectacular evening wear. She told me that she had a suitcase full of clothes by Vancouver-based Chloe Angus, and I always wondered who these people were who dresses local indie film stars.
Photo courtesy of Chloe Angus
However, it wasn’t until I recently walked into the Chloe Angus shop (located on Dunbar and 27th) that I realized that Chloe Angus Design isn’t just about making red-carpet dresses, but also about making everyday wear, specializing in sustainable, eco-friendly apparel, and using almost exclusively natural fabrics.
When you first meet the team that makes up Chloe Angus Design — designer Chloe Angus (an elegant brunette draped in strings of pearls) and Director of Operations Sarah MacLachlan (edgy, with short pink hair) — it’s hard to believe that these girls have farming backgrounds. In fact, it was this commonality that drew them together nine years ago, making them one of the first designers to use natural fabrics like bamboo and wood pulp.
“My parents were organic seafood farmers on the Sunshine Coast and Sarah grew up in rural Manitoba,” says Angus. “Doing things in an organic, sustainable way was just who we were. We didn’t think about it, we just did it, naturally.”
Sustainability to them is not only about using natural fabrics, or promoting and sustaining a local economy, but also about creating pieces that you can wear for a very long time.
“We live in the age of disposable clothing,” says MacLachlan. “And we’re very much against that.” Angus adds, “And because I have such a classic aesthetic, I make pieces that you can wear for a very long time, and even pass on to your kids.”
In addition, sustainability to Angus and MacLachlan also means promoting a healthy body image to women. All their designs are meant for, and flattering to, real woman, not supermodels.
Photo courtesy of Chloe Angus
One of their most popular items is the button wrap, which comes in a variety of colours, and in both a wool blend and a bamboo blend.
“Women were often asking how to finish an outfit, so I would recommend a pashmina, but they couldn’t really figure out how to make it work. So we create the button wrap because the buttons help to wear the scarves in different ways.”
Angus and MacLaughlin demonstrate how to turn the button wrap from everything into a cape to a hood. They point me to their online video showing the multiple ways to wrap it. It’s really crazy.
Something simple like a button wrap can help update an outfit, Angus says, which is useful in today’s economy, where buying a whole new outfit can be difficult.
In addition, Chloe Angus has even partnered up with Haida artist Clarence Mills, and his patterns can be found on some of the wraps, entitled, The Spirit Collection.
If you want to check out Chloe Angus Design, they have a booth (#511) at the Circle Craft Christmas Market which is happening now at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, until Sunday. They are also participating in the fashion shows at Circle Craft today at 1:00pm and 6:00pm as well as Saturday and Sunday at 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
Follow Chloe Angus Designs on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
