Along the Canada Line, this Friday and Saturday, donation boxes will be setup for the BC Blanket Drive.
The public are asked to bring donations of warm clothing items (not just blankets) to drop off for the campaign. This includes socks, scarves, mittens, and toques as well.
The donations will then be distributed to various organizations such as Covenant House, SHARE Society, Mission Community Services, Union Gospel Mission and Lookout Aid Society.
Volunteers will be at Waterfront, Vancouver City Centre, Yaletown, Broadway, Oakridge, Bridgeport, Aberdeen, and Richmond Brighouse stations on November 25th and 26th from 8:00am until 5:00pm.
There is also a fundraising event for Blanket BC tonight at The Junction pub on Davie and general donations by mail or PayPal are accepted for the cause. Follow Blanket BC on Facebook and Twitter for news and information.
As mentioned in this morning’s contest post, I spent the better part of the day on Salt Spring Island judging the “Glowtini” competition.
Heading over to the island with Saltspring Air
There were six participants from around the island who all prepared special holiday cocktails — the winning drink to be featured at restaurants and pubs around Salt Spring this season. They were Tom Messer from the Salt Spring Inn, Greg VanRiel from The Oystercatcher Seafood Bar and Grill, Miles Roberts from Auntie Pestos Cafe, John King from Harbour House Hotel Restaurant and Organic Farm, Jesse Anderson from Moby’s Oyster Bar + Marine Grill, and Candace Cole from Rock Salt Restaurant.
It was a very tough competition to judge as all of the contestants provided something unique. There were espresso pearls, chocolate shavings, frozen grapes and raspberries, sugar diamonds, candy cane rim sugar, and a white chocolate garnish shaped like a Christmas tree.
In the end, the Laughing Apple Martini prepared by Tom Messer from the Salt Spring Inn was crowned as the official Glowtini of Christmas at Salt Spring Island.
While the other cocktails were sweet and chocolatey (which I thoroughly enjoyed) I think that the new Glowtini really showcased the “best of the island” while maintaining a festive flavour thanks to the cider. Here’s how you can make your own Glowtini, if you can find some of these unique-to-Salt Spring ingredients where you are.
In just a few hours I met friendly folk from the Chamber of Commerce, local press, business owners, and some very creative mixologists. Even Raffi stopped by to say hello before the competition began. I then flew home with Harold from Saltspring Air — who let me ride co-pilot as the clouds broke apart and the sun beamed down on the Salish Sea.
The people of Salt Spring would like everyone to know that it’s a great place to visit throughout the year (not just in the summer) and they’re open for business this holiday season. You can enter to win your own Salt Spring Island getaway that includes a two-night stay, lunch, dinner, and more. Proceeds from the sale of the Glowtini will support Salt Spring’s Copper Kettle Community Partnership.
Upper lips are staying warm this month as Movember participants continue to grow out their facial hair for a cause. One community team, the Steveston Staches are hosting a special two-day event in their community where anyone with (or without) a ‘mo can enjoy some great deals.
Whisker Weekend
When: November 26 and November 27, 2011
Where: Steveston Village (Google Map)
Deals around the village include ordering a MoBro Meat Plate (aka the Canuck Burger and a Beer) at Diner No. 1 and they’ll donate $2 to Movember ($4 if the person ordering has a moustache). You can also get a bar of soap shaped like a moustache from Dam Good Soap when you donate $5 to the cause, and $1 from every beer sold at Hog Shack that weekend will go to Movember ($2 if you have a moustache). A full list of deals can be found on the Steveston Stache’s website.
This morning I’m heading over to Salt Spring Island to judge the Glowtini competition where local bartenders and mixologists will be creating their idea of the perfect Salt Spring Island holiday cocktail.
Participants will be from Auntie Pestos Cafe, Harbour House Hotel Restaurant and Organic Farm, Marketplace Cafe, Moby’s Oyster Bar + Marine Grill, Oystercatcher, Raven Street Cafe, Rock Salt Restaurant, and the Salt Spring Inn.
John and I have been in love with this diverse Gulf Island since we first visited together in 2008. The community, the network of artisans and local producers, the landscape, it’s all very warm and welcoming.
Our latest stay at Hastings House was just as magical as the first. You may laugh when I use the adjective “magical” but once you go, you’ll know the feeling that Salt Spring Island gives you.
The Salt Spring Christmas Committee, Saltspring Air, and the Chamber of Commerce promoting the island as a destination at any time of year. As such, they have all partnered up to offer one of my readers a fantastic Salt Spring Island “Glow” prize package. This includes:
Here’s how you can enter to win this fantastic Salt Spring Island prize:
- Leave a comment on this post naming a Salt Spring Island accommodation
(found here) (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner next Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 12:00pm. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. Prize is redeemable between January 15, 2012 and April 15, 2012. Subject to availability for flights and accommodation. The winner may also be asked to do follow-up interviews and have their name published.
Those on Salt Spring already will be able to sample the newly crowned “Glowtini” after 5:00pm today at the Salt Spring Inn.
Update The winner is Tom!
Grouse Mountain: The Peak of Christmas holiday events begin next week. Bring the family and ride the gondola up to a winter wonderland even if you’re not a skier or snowboarder.
Photo credit:
mountainhiker on Flickr – from the Miss604 Flickr Group
From 12:00pm to 8:00pm daily you can meet Santa in person on top of the mountain, enjoy outdoor skating from 9:00am to 10:00pm, visit with a real reindeer at 2:00pm and 4:00pm and enjoy carollers between 6:00pm and 8:00pm (weekdays) or 1:00pm and 3:00pm (weekends).
Vote on your favourite decorations in the SOS Children’s Village Parade of Trees from December 2nd to 24th, enjoy a mountaintop sleigh ride (9:00am to 9:00pm) and watch your favourite Christmas movies in the mountaintop theatre.
Photo credit:
Marv! on Flickr
Additional special events include Skate with the Champions December 3rd, 10th, and 17th with Karen Magnussen & friends out on the 8,000 square foot rink. There will also be an ice show with Karen Magnussen and top local talent on December 17th. All of these activities are free to enjoy once you pay your gondola fare. Family rates of $79.95 are also available for purchase. There is also an annual Local’s Pass for purchase.
The Peak of Christmas will run from November 26, 2011 to December 24, 2011.
