Scotia Hockey: See Stanley With Lanny

Comments 108 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Scotia Hockey Club, a proud supporter of all levels of hockey across Canada, is bringing back its “See Stanley With Lanny” contest. Until May 21st, you can enter for your chance to win a trip for 4 to see a Stanley Cup Final Game with Lanny McDonald.

Stanley With Lanny
Used with Permission from Scotia Hockey.

The trip includes spending money, accommodation, transportation to the the game, and 3 whole periods of hockey alongside Lanny. Official rules are available on the Scotia Hockey Facebook Page.

Reebok Stanley prize packs (1)Once a week during the playoffs, and once a day from May 23rd to June 10th, they’ll also be giving away Reebok Stanley Cup prize packs.

I know that most Vancouver fans are hockey fans through and through and they’ll continue to support hometown boys, past Vancouver players, and perhaps cheer for the opponents of our bitter rivals throughout the rest of the playoffs. Catching a few of the other Round 1 match-ups, the playoffs are sure to contain great hockey and be exciting as ever to watch.

To promote See Stanley With Lanny, I have two Scotia Hockey prize packs to give away as well as three of the Reebok Stanley Cup prize packs that include a Stanley Cup Final t-shirt, hat, backpack, and hoodie. Here’s how you can enter to win one of these five prize packs from me:

  • Leave a comment on this post about why you love hockey, plain and simple (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a @ScotiaHockey prize pack from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/asCXf

I will draw all five winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Update The winners are Michelle M and @Reese210 (Scotia Prize), and Vince, Iris, and Jenny (Reebok).

Army and Navy Shoe Sale 2012

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 63rd annual Army and Navy Shoe Sale returns Wednesday April 25, 2012 with doors opening at 8:00am at all locations (Gastown, New Westminster, Langley, Calgary, and Edmonton).

Styles will include BCBG, Betsy Johnson, Coach, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Eli Tahari, Fergalicious, Guess, Jessica Simpson, Steve Madden and Vince Camuto. Over 100,000 pairs will be stocked and marked down, some styles from $300 (original designer sticker price) to $40.

Rejected Shoes *sigh* Army and Navy Shoe Sale

In 2008 I interviewed Tania Berrios, a Junior Buyer for the Shoe Department, who offered up the following tips for sale-goers:

“I would definitely recommend for everyone to wear flip flops! That way you just slip them off and try on a new pair. Because the sale is so popular, it gets very full, so wearing something light and comfortable is ideal.

Another great tip is to grab a basket or the complimentary A&N shopping bag, fill it with all the shoes you like, and grab yourself an empty corner to try your shoes on. That way you don’t have people grabbing from your stash… yes the competition is fierce. For those shoppers who aren’t able to make it right at 8:00am, don’t worry we stock up the shelves all day, and especially for the lunch and after work rush. Once you have picked out your fantastic pairs of shoes, you are able to purchase them at any till in the store.”

In business since 1919, Army and Navy attributes their ability to offer such deep discounts and deals to their longstanding relationships with suppliers. The sale will run until May 6, 2012.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Photos 2012

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Although the blossoms in the West End have fallen, covering sidewalks like snowflakes, there are still thousands of trees bursting with spring colours across the city. Photos showcased this week from the Miss604 Flickr Pool all celebrate cherry blossom season.

Cherry blossom under sunny blue sky
Photo credit: LawrenceH on Flickr

falling bloom falling bloom aerie
Photo credit: rocketcandy & rocketcandy & rocketcandy on Flickr

Spring is here!
Photo credit: cahadikin on Flickr

Cherry Blossoms
Photo credit: cahaikin on Flickr

A Friendly Neighbourhood Cat A Sakura-Eating Kitty
Photo credit: DTBの写真撮影 & DTBの写真撮影 on Flickr

cherry blossoms cherry blossoms
Photo credit: laxtoyvr & laxtoyvr on Flickr

Cherry Blossom Festival - Vancouver 2012
Photo credit: vancouver4life.com on Flickr

Cherry blossoms & Vancouver Lookout
Photo credit: Wynonna on Flickr

Blooming Vancouver
Photo credit: Sliver of Light Photography on Flickr

Sakura II
Photo credit: Maurice Li on Flickr

BMO building burrard street blossoms
Photo credit: La Ola & Nicole Soltys on Flickr

IMG_3317
Photo credit: veronique_m on Flickr

桜が咲いている: 春が来た Sakura time in Vancouver
Photo credit: DTBの写真撮影 & Eric Flexyourhead on Flickr

Vancouver Cherry Blossoms
Photo credit: Zorro1968 on Flickr

Cherry Blossom Festival
Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

There is still time to check out a few Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival events this month. You can also enter your pictures in the Festival’s photo contest by email or tagging your photo with #VCCBphotocontest on Twitter. Entries are being accepted until April 28, 2012.

As always, please click through on these images to view more work from the photographers and feel free to share your own photos with the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

Shane Koyczan at the Vogue Theatre

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

BC poet and writer Shane Koyczan will be headlining at the Vogue Theatre tomorrow, April 21, 2012 with guest Hannah Epperson.

Vogue Theatre Relaunch
Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Koyczan showcased Canada to the world through poetry when he performed “We Are More” during the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 and prior to that, he became the first Canadian to win the Individual Championship title at the US National Poetry Slam. He’s collaborated with Dan Mangan, performed at Live at Squamish, and has published several books.


Instructions for a Bad Day – Shane Koyczan Pink Shirt Day Student Collaboration

The Guardian (UK) and the Globe and Mail (Canada) hailed his book, Visiting Hours, as a Book of the Year Selection. His second book, Stickboy, is a novel in verse. Written for anyone who has ever been a child, Stickboy continues to be hailed by teachers, academics, and mental health experts alike for its deft handling of the subject of bullying. Shane’s third book, Our Deathbeds Will Be Thirsty, released in 2012, proves once again to be an outstanding addition to an amazing repertoire.

His show tomorrow, called “Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long”, is his last stop on a tour that took him to Guelph, Sasktatoon, and beyond. The style of the show is “talk rock” and is accompanied by music that ranges from folk to funk, ambient to rock. Tickets are still available for $25.

Tulips of the Valley Festival in Agassiz 2012

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

2014 Tulips of the Valley Festival Info

The Tulips of the Valley Festival in Agassiz is in full swing with more colours popping from millions of bulbs on Seabird Island.

40 Acres of Tulips

When I visited a few years ago, there were 30 different varieties growing along 40 acres of land. The festival’s website is updated daily with information about the flowers and weather.

Today’s report: “April 20th update: More and more colour appearing each day. One variety of red is nearing full bloom, Orange and Purple are also getting much more colourful. A day of sun/warmth and those colours will reach full bloom with the rest close behind. How much colour? It all depends on the temperature the next few days. Warm weather = more blooms, cool weather = fewer blooms. The best show will likely be between April 25th and 29th.”

It’s simply a field of tulips but the vast quantity and array of colours is quite the sight, not to mention the setting (in the valley near the river) is beautiful with Mount Cheam looking-on. It’s a great way to explore this corner of the Fraser Valley, pick up some bulbs and flowers, and spend a day outside with the family.

Agassiz, BC

The festival will run for about another two weeks along Chowat Road [Google Map]. Hours of operation are 12:00pm to 4:00pm Wednesday to Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, and kids 12 and under are free. Parking is not permitted on Chowat Road but you can park and walk down. However, handicap parking is available near the fields if need-be.

The Tulips of the Valley Festival is part of the Agassiz-Harrison Mills Circle Farm Tour along with the owner’s tulip stand located at 1694 Tranmer Rd.

Update “April 27th: We have now reached full bloom. This weekend will be spectacular. How much colour? It all depends on the temperature the next few days. Warm weather = more blooms, cool weather = fewer blooms.”