As 2011 winds down, I have decided to do my annual “year in review” posts. While it’s tough to select the best moments (that I have blogged) over the last year, this week I’ll profile the following categories: Travel, Food, Music, and Entertainment.
Travel
A highlight for the blog in 2011 was partnering with Backyard BC to offer up 12 getaways over 12 weeks to my readers. We had thousands of entries and gave away almost $7,000 in local travel experiences.
As for my own adventures, I took a minute to calculate just how far I traveled over the last 12 months and, not including our upcoming trip, I cruised past 75,000kms. From quick jaunts to Victoria, Seattle, and Edmonton, to Toronto, Kansas City, Mexico (in late 2010), and Ghana via London. In fact, there were some months where I only spent a week at home. Having lost my grandmother early in the year, I think being on the go kept my mind off the heartache – most of the time.
Top Travel Experiences
Iowa
“The sun peeked out and began to melt piles of snow that quickly re-froze as solid puddles, causing my less-than-adequate soles to slip and skid. We walked by houses with frosted tire swings, porches laden with piles of firewood, and flags waving proudly on the front lawn.” – First Photowalk of the Year in Iowa.
Ghana
“The city itself is bustling. Petrol stations, women carrying everything from baked goods and plastic bottles of water on their heads, men selling bandanas and chocolate bars in the streets, and entire buildings painted red for either Vodafone or Coca-Cola advertisements. Cars drive on whichever side of the road will get them to their destination the quickest as burnt orange sand kicks up dust clouds in their wake.” – West Africa Day One: Bipoa, Ghana
“We haven’t been traveling too far out of major cities but within minutes you’re transported from bustling streets, honking horns, and billboards to groves of palm trees, children splashing in at well-water pumps, and random goats or chickens hustling across dirt roads. It’s one contrast after another but the universal language, I’m finding out, is that of a handshake, smile and dance whenever a good tune is played.” – West Africa Day Two: Nsiana, Ghana Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
It’s Boxing Day and the stores are packed while the turkey is either in the oven or being wrapped up for sandwiches later this week. To keep the festive holiday spirit, I have once again partnered with London Drugs for a fantastic holiday giveaway that will get you through New Year’s Eve and the exciting year ahead. The prize pack includes:
Nikon Coolpix L120 Digital Camera
Value $219.99 / Product Link
Red or Black (dependent on availability)
14.1 megapixels, 21x NIKKOR zoom 25-525mm lens, 3-inch LCD, sensor shake VR with
electronic VR, 720p HD video, sport continuous mode 13fps at 3MP. Includes a
Lexar Professional 133x SDHC Card, value $29.99.
Panasonic iPod/iPhone Docking Micro System
Value $129.99 / Product Link
Push open universal dock for iPod and iPhone with sliding door CD access, iPod digital music connection processes digital music in its original form, sophisticated, slim and stylish at only 7cm deep at its thinnest point, aero stream port enhances audio performance delivering crystal clear sound, digital AM/FM tuner, auxiliary input & Energy Star rated.
His and Hers Scents
Hers: Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau de Parfum (50ml)
Value $89.99 / Product Link
His: Paco Rabanne One Million Eau de Toilette (50ml)
Value: $58.00 / Product Link
Swann OutbackCam DVR-470 Camera and Video Recorder
Value $129.99 / Product Link
For your adventures in the New Year! A covert surveillance camera that can record day or night (built-in night vision), can record for months at a time, built of indoor or outdoor use, mount anywhere.
London Drugs locations across the Lower Mainland are hosting Boxing Week sales all week long as well. Here’s how you can enter to win our giveaway:
- Leave a comment here naming the best Christmas present you’ve ever received (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner, who will take home all $650+ in prizes, at 10:00am this Friday, December 30, 2011.
Update The winner is LisaB!
Update: Here are the 2015 locations/dates.
In just over a week – after careful watering, decorating, lighting, and keeping the cat from climbing through ornaments – our decorations will be packed away again for another year. If you have a live Christmas tree, there will be several ways to recycle it this season:
Vancouver
What: City of Vancouver Tree Chipping Events
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012 to Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time: 10:00am to to 4:00pm
Cost: By donation of cash or non-perishable food items.
Locations: Kitsilano Beach parking lot at Cornwall & Arbutus,
Kerrisdale Community Ice Rink parking lot at East Boulevard north of 41st Ave,
Sunset Beach upper parking lot at Beach Ave & Broughton,
RONA Home and Garden Grandview Store at 2727 East 12th Ave (overflow parking lot south of 12th Avenue) this is a replacement for the Trout Lake event.
What: Tree Chipping in Support of Bayview Elementary School
Date: Monday, December 26, 2011 to Sunday January 8, 2012
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Coast: By donation.
Location: UBC Botanical Garden at 6804 South West Marine Drive, Vancouver
Cost: By donation (suggested donation $5)
Notes: Entrance behind the Reception Centre building. Leave trees in the marked drop-off location.
What: Tree Chipping in Support of Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: By donation.
Location: Kingsgate Mall, 370 E Broadway, Vancouver.
Notes: Enter through lower east parking lot. Free cookies and hot chocolate from the Mount Pleasant BIA.
Surrey
What: Youth Christmas Tree Chipping & Bottle Drive by Donation
Date: Monday, January 2, 2012 to Saturday, January 7, 2012
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: By donation.
Location: Emmanuel Covenant Church at 17029 – 16 Ave, Surrey
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012 to Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time: Unconfirmed
Location: Newton Athletic Park at 128th and 74th, Surrey
Notes: For information call (604) 591-4203
White Rock
What: Annual Christmas Tree Chip
Date: Monday, January 2, 2012
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: By donation to the White Rock Food Bank
Location: Centennial Arena parking lot at 14600 North Bluff Road, White Rock
Delta
What: Lions Club Tree Chipping
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012 to Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: By donation.
Locations: Tsawwassen South Delta Recreation Centre at 1720 56th St
North Delta Sungod Recreation Centre at 7815 112th St
North Vancouver
What: North Vancouver City Firefighters Christmas Tree Chip-Up
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Cost: By donation.
Location: Rona Parking Lot at Park & Tilford at 1160 East 3rd St
Notes: Free hotdog, coffee, hot chocolate.
Richmond
What: Richmond Fire Department Chip Up
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012 to Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Cost: By donation, benefiting the Richmond Fire Fighters Charitable Society.
Location: Garry Point Park in Steveston
Note: Read more in this PDF.
Pitt Meadows
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012 to Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Meadows Landscape Supply at 18020 Kennedy Road in Pitt Meadows
Cost: By donation, benefitting Pitt Meadows Lions Club and the Girl Guides.
Remember to remove all ornaments and tinsel from your trees. In many cases, they are being chipped up to provide mulch for paths and trails in local parks.
Should you know of additional tree chipping events, please feel free to contact me.
The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim returns to English Bay for the 92nd year thanks to Mr. Peter Pantages. It was in 1920 that Pantages created the club and the brisk ocean dip has been a New Year’s tradition ever since. Peter’s family still carries on the tradition of the Polar Bear Swim Club today.
December 15, 1927 – Miss E Robinson & Pete Pantages. Archives item# CVA 99-1783.
Photographer: Stuart Thomson.
December 15, 1927 – Miss E Robinson & Pete Pantages. Archives item# CVA 99-1787.
Photographer: Stuart Thomson.
New Year’s Day 1939 – Polar Bear Swim Club. Archives item# CVA 371-836.
Around the 1950s, the participation was approximately 250 to 300 swimmers, and six lifeguards and one supervisor were used for safety supervision. Today, anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 swimmers participate (record to-date 2,246 in 2011) and 5,000 to 10,000 spectators making it necessary for the Park Board to construct a fenced enclosure for the swimmers. – Vancouver Polar Bear Swim
Participation is free but you must be registered with the club in order to do the swim. Registration is from 12:30pm to 2:30pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012 in front of the bath house in English Bay.
If you can’t make it downtown, there is also a Polar Bear Swim in White Rock organized by the White Rock Lions Club. Registration begins 10:00am and the swim will take place at 12:00pm. Swimmers are to meet at the White Rock.
Vancouver hasn’t had a public “First Night” family New Year’s celebration in quite a while but there is still a few options for the last day of 2011.
Photo credit:
BC Gov Photos on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool
Robson Square Ice Rink
On New Year’s Eve the Province of BC will host a family-friendly evening of entertainment, live music, and more. There will be free glow sticks and an early countdown at 8:00pm. The ice rink will be open regular hours on New Year’s Day as well, from 9:00am until 9:00pm. Skating is always free but there is a fee if you need rentals.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
The festive holiday train and millions of lights will be glowing on New Year’s Eve from 3:00pm to 11:00pm. Admission is by donation and tickets for the train can be purchased in advance or at the ticket booth on-site.
Surrey Winter Ice Palace
The Winter Ice Palace at Cloverdale Arena is open now until January 2, 2012 from 11:00am until 4:00pm (including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day).
New Year’s Eve on the Ice
White Rock’s Centennial Arena is open on New Year’s Eve from 11:30am to 12:15pm for stick & puck, and 12:30pm to 2:30pm for family skate. It will also be open for the same skate times on New Year’s Day.
Whistler Presents
Whistle will be hosting a family-friendly, alcohol-free event in Village Square and at the Conference Centre. The event gets underway at 6:30pm on December 31, 2011 and will include live music, storytelling, and other entertainment. Advance tickets are $15 (adults), $8 (children 12 years and under), and $20 (adults), $10 (children) at the door. There will be an early countdown for the kids at 9:30pm.
