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.
VISA has launched VISA Perks, a new Canadian e-shop for the holidays. Their goal is to engage with those who are doing their holiday shopping online while offering deals with merchants (like 15% off at Birks, 25% off at Adidas, and more).
Over the last ten years I’ve mostly shopped for books online but recently I’ve purchased t-shirts, books, gifts, and more. It’s not so much that I don’t like going out to the store, it’s about finding the products I really like (and usually they’re across the border). However for some, online shopping is all about the experience. No parking lot races, no rushing to the shelves to find out they’re out of stock, no plastic bags cutting into your forearm as you wait in line for what seems like hours.
Everyone has their shopping pet peeves and horror stories but there can be some customer service saviours out there. Sometimes it’s nice to interact with others in the check-out line, have a coffee with a friend while browsing, and see the kids’ faces light up in the toy shop.
VISA has offered up a $50 pre-paid gift card for me to giveaway to a reader who shares their tip(s) for surviving the holiday shopping madness. Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered to win. You can also post the following on Twitter for an additional entry:
VISA Perks has housewares, electronics, travel, flowers, sporting equipment, office supplies, and more. The winner will be able to use their $50 gift card anywhere VISA cards are accepted in Canada.
My tips for shopping in Vancouver: Take transit to South Granville, Granville Island or Robson Street where you can get some fresh air between shops and not worry about parking. There’s a great mix of local and international retailers at these locations where you can support community businesses and pick up those hard-to-find gems.
I will draw one contest winner at 10:00am on Thursday, December 1, 2011.
Update The winner is Nancy!
They 99th Grey Cup Championship is coming to Vancouver at the end of this week with a parade, festival, and final game in which our BC Lions are participating. The Lions had a bumpy start to their season at Empire Field but moved into their renovated home at BC Place and stormed up the ranks to win the Western championship.
1955 – Grey Cup sign in Vancouver. VPL Accession Number: 43903.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup game in 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1999, and 2005. With the season starting out at Empire, this generation had a small taste of what games would have been like in the same location back in the 50’s and 60’s. Fresh air peppered with aromas from the concession stands, north shore mountains in the backdrop, and “Roar You Lions Roar” echoing through the crowd.
1955 – Grey Cup parade. VPL Accession Number: 82932N.
Photographer: Eric DeWitt.
1955 – Miss BC Lions. VPL Accession Number: 82932F.
Photographer: Eric DeWitt.
The 1955 Grey Cup game in Vancouver was the first to be held outside of Ontario.
1960 – Grey Cup crowds. VPL Accession Number: 43958.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
1963 – Half time at the Grey Cup in Vancouver. VPL Accession Number: 43989.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
1963 – Grey Cup game, Hamilton vs BC. VPL Accession Number: 43973.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
1963 – Grey Cup crowds at Georgia & Granville. VPL Accession Number: 41893.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
1963 – Grey Cup game. VPL Accession Number: 43994.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
In 1964 the BC Lions defeated the Hamilton Ti-cats in Toronto to win their first Grey Cup.
1966 – Miss Grey Cup is crowned. VPL Accession Number: 43886.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
After the 1966 Grey Cup game between Saskatchewan and Ottawa, the parade went through downtown Vancouver. It was the CFL’s first night-parade. The crowds grey on the streets and a riot broke out. Vancouver Police arrested 300 people.
1966 – Grey Cup night riot. Photographer: Province Newspaper.
(Left) VPL Accession Number: 42736 (Right) VPL Accession Number: 42731C
1966 – Grey Cup night riot. Photographer: Province Newspaper.
(Left) VPL Accession Number: 42743 (Right) VPL Accession Number: 42742
The first Grey Cup game at BC Place stadium was played in front of a crowd of 59,345 in 1983.
1966 – Grey Cup game. VPL Accession Number: 43890.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
In 1994 the BC Lions won their first Grey Cup in nine years against the Baltimore CFL Colts.
1968 – Photographers at the Grey Cup game. VPL Accession Number: 43894.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
1968 – Players at the Grey Cup game. VPL Accession Number: 43893.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
1968 – Grey Cup crowd at Empire Stadium. VPL Accession Number: 43892.
Photographer: Province Newspaper.
Aside from our outstanding players, coaches, and staff, you can’t mention Grey Cup history in Vancouver without a shout out to Dal Richards. Dal’s band played at the opening of Empire Stadium in 1954, they played the ceremony ushering the BC Lions into the CFL in 1954, and have played at BC Lions halftime shows for the last 40 years.
Dal Richards at Summer Live. Photo credit: Chris Cameron –
Vancouver 125The 99th Grey Cup festival kicks off this Thursday, November 24, 2011 in Vancouver. The parade is Saturday, November 26th and the BC Lions will take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday at 3:00pm PT.
There’s just over 4 days, 1 hour, and 15 minutes left to make your holiday donation to the Union Gospel Mission and have it doubled by a generous donor. The UGM serves the Lower Mainland and provides programming, drop-in centre support, meals, education, and more to help individuals overcome poverty, homelessness and addiction in our community.
2010 Christmas Meal – Photo credit:
UGM on Flickr
When you make your donation by Friday, November 25, 2011, a generous donor will be matching the grand total. To make your giving process as simple as can be, you can select from pre-set amounts. $19.74 to feed and care for 6 people, $36.19 to feed and care for 11 people, $59.22 to feed and care for 18 people. You can also customize your gift and enter any dollar amount you like.
Other campaigns currently running include the Christmas Meal, where you can once again select from pre-set amounts and decide how many people you would like to support this season. Follow @UGM on Twitter or Facebook for information and news about your donations at work in the community.
Capilano Suspension Bridge is once again hosting Canyon Lights, a holiday winter wonderland nestled in a North Shore forest. Families can stroll past light displays, take a walk across the world-famous bridge, and check out treetop adventures that await in the snow.
Photo courtesy Capilano Suspension Bridge
Over 250,000 Canyon Lights will be up from December 2, 2011 to Janury 1, 2012 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm daily. Enjoy the Christmas Band, the creations of glass blower Malcolm Macfadyen, and guests can try out the new Cliffwalk at night.
Photo courtesy Capilano Suspension Bridge
Adults are $25, and children $5. There is a special family admission rate of $50 for 2 adults and 2 children. Proceeds go to the BC Professional Fire Fighter’s Burn Fund.
Capilano Suspension Bridge has offered up a great prize pack for one of my readers that includes:
- Family of 4 tickets to Canyon Lights
- 2 glass icicle ornament workshops for the adults
- Monkey toque and glove set for one child
- Reindeer toque and glove set for one child
The total value of the prize pack is $220. 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 winner at random from all entries next Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10:00am.
Update The winner is Kate Wilson!
