I was recently flown up to Powell River, at the top end of our gorgeous Sunshine Coast, to visit a local icon that is in danger. Along the way I met Karen Skadsheim, owner of Townsite Brewing, Powell River’s first brewery that will be tapping its first keg later this month.

Located in historic Townsite, the oldest neighbourhood in Powell River, Townsite Brewing set up shop in the old Post Office Building. Before we set out on a walking tour of the area, I found out more about how Karen came to own a brewery.

“I’m originally from Vancouver so I experienced the rise of craft beer there,” Karen told me. She sold her condo in Kitsilano a few years ago and jetted off the Europe before returning home with no job and no fixed address. Being financially confident enough to enjoy one more summer off, she visited her brother in Powell River while starting a job hunt back in Vancouver.

“Before I knew it I was on every single board in town.” Karen quickly became an integral part of the community and managed a restaurant that focused on local food. All the while the old Post Office in building in Townsite kept singing out to her. “I saw this building that had a fish plant in it and I just thought ‘Ah, that building should be a brewery!‘ and everybody said, ‘I know, that would be perfect!’“.

Soon enough she was going into business with the building’s owner and by November 2010, it was re-zoned and ready to be set into action. One thing was missing at that point though, and it was someone who could make great beer. Karen put an ad on ProBrewer, a beer industry website, and received an overwhelming response. They found Belgian brewmaster Cedric Dauchot in Saskatoon who had been working with Les 3 Brasseurs Canada since 2005. He and his wife, also a brewmaster, had plans to start a local brewpub as well. “They had the business plan but lacked the financial backing and a building. We had the building and the financial backing but no brewers,” said Karen. It was a perfect fit. This is Cedric’s 7th brewery or “lucky number 7” as Karen puts it.

While I didn’t get to sample any beer just yet — it’s not quite ready — plans are in the works to incorporate local flavours and flare into the brews. Karen said they’ll most likely be doing something with blackberries in the summer around the time of the Powell River Blackberry Festival, and she has a few other ideas in mind that include locally-grown certified organic hops. Heading into their launch, they will have 3 beers ready to go this spring: Powtown Porter, Tinhat IPA, and the Zunga Golden Blonde Ale.

Read more about Townsite Brewing on their blog and follow then on Twitter and Facebook to learn about upcoming events and tastings around Powell River and the Lower Mainland.

The Burrard Hotel has recently undergone a complete renovation, overhaul, re-branding, and everything else associated with bringing this 1950s style motor hotel up to Vancouver’s world-class city standards. Tipping their hat to their roots, you can find retro charms like plastic patio furniture in the swinging garden courtyard mixed with modern amenities like complimentary WIFI and a guest iMac in the lobby.

The Burrard fell into disrepair for decades, sporting the same heavy, smokey 1970s decor until new management tore it apart in 2010. Over a year later, it re-opened last fall with more than just a fresh coat of paint. Walls were torn apart to upgrade wiring and plumbing, carpeting was completely re-done, and the antiquated furniture was replaced, and a re-branding was in order. Playing a bit with their old image, the new branding incorporates a sharp font, bright colours, and hip activity ideas for your visit.

Before the renovations, in 2010. Photo courtesy of The Burrard.

After the renovations. My photos from 2012.

I don’t envision The Burrard as an ideal destination for large families spending a week-long vacation in the city as it doesn’t have things like a restaurant or a pool and the rooms have just one bed. However, its appealing price point, value, location, and amenities are perfect for a grown-up weekend downtown for an event or concert, conference or corporate getaway. It’s close to the Granville entertainment district, walking distance to shopping on Robson, and right along the bus line that will take you to Kitsilano, Granville Island, and much more that the city has to offer.

I liked that the WIFI was included (pay WIFI is a common hotel guest complaint), the parking was gated (accessed using your room key-card), there are complimentary rental bikes, and the rooms were cozy with a pod coffee maker, iPod dock/clock radio, and a large flat-screen TV. I’m not a huge fan of the cheeky quotes found in the stairwells but that could be appealing to others. However, playing my web-developer nerd card, I am a fan of the font used for the messaging.

Right now one night at The Burrard runs from $93 to $119 – which is a pretty great deal for downtown. With the “old Burrard” behind them, they have already climbed up to be #16 on Trip Advisor’s list of hotels in Vancouver (as of March 2012). After having breakfast with General Manager Dani Pretto, and learning more about the dedicated staff, I see a bright future for The Burrard. Follow them on Twitter @TheBurrard for news and updates.

Despite the chilly weather and frozen rain pelting down on the coast, winter is almost over and local company Spring Advertising is once again hosting “Boink Day” to celebrate. On the first day of spring, March 20, 2012, stop by the Vancouver Art Gallery for a public pogo challenge in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.

Photo credit: Phae, jtstrathdee, maureen_sill on Flickr

What Boink Day 2012
Where Georgia side of the Vancouver Art Gallery
When Tuesday, March 20, 2012 From 7:00am to 7:00pm.

For every pogo bounce performed by participants, Spring Advertising will donate 10 cents to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. The public can also make cash or non-perishable food item donations on-site. You can stop by to be a spectator, donator, or pogo-bouncer for however long you like.

Follow Spring Advertising on Twitter or Facebook for more information.

BC Place will be transforming into Canada’s largest indoor carnival for spring break this year as it once again becomes PlayDome.

Rides
The 100-foot “Mega Drop” will be joined by 45 other rides like the Zero Gravity spinner, the Ring of Fire, the Super Shot, 1001 Nights, the Ferris Wheel, the Zipper and more. Games, attractions, and a carnival concession will top off the experience.

Hours
PlayDome is only around from Friday, March 16th to Tuesday, March 20th, 2012. It will be open every day from 10:00am to 9:00pm except on the very first day when it will open at 2:00pm.

Tickets
Options include a $25 Dome Pass (valid for all rides), a $6 Guest Pass (required to enter as a spectator), and a $40 Ultimate Pass (multi day Dome Pass). Children under 2 years old are free but cannot go on the rides, for safety reasons. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

In honor of this festive event, the Northern Lights 360 degree light display around BC Place will be illuminated with a colourful carnival theme.

Update I sent John Biehler to BC Place to take some photos during a sneak preview of the carnival.

View more of John’s photos in his Flickr set.

Photo courtesy of Live Nation

Elvis Costello & The Impostors play the Orpheum in Vancouver April 10, 2012 at the Canadian debut of their Spinning Songbook Tour.

At each performance, select fans are invited on stage to spin the songbook wheel, creating a different set at each show. The gameshow-style songbook wheel contains over 40 hits, rarities, and a few surprise selections.

For a warm-up, you can visit Elvis Costello’s website to spin a digital songbook and hear pieces from his collection.

From Vancouver, the tour will head to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, LA, then over to Florida and North Carolina. Tickets are currently on sale through Live Nation for $34.50, $59.50, $79.50, and $99.00 (plus fees).

I also have a pair of tickets to give away to a reader. 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, March 19, 2012 at 11:00am.

Update The winner is Deborah!