Photo: Tourism Burnaby
If you’ve driven Eastbound on Highway 1 from Vancouver you would have surely passed the Grand Villa Casino & the Delta Burnaby Hotel and Conference Centre.
It’s quickly become a hot spot for Burnaby nightlife, casino play, and dining at EBO Restaurant & Lounge, Centro, Apetito, and Grand Dynasty. Every Thursday night in the Scala Lounge they also present Dueling Pianos.
The high-energy dueling pianos show is described as “sing-a-long and comedic entertainment all night”. The pianists, Mick Dalla-Vee and Tom Arntzen, are both legendary in Canadian music.
The Grand Villa Casino approached me to do a giveaway and have offered up two prize packages so two lucky readers can have a mini ‘staycation’ or at least a night away in the hotel with food and entertainment.
Photo: Grand Villa Casino
The prize packages each include: Two $50 gift cards that can be used for chips or slot play in the casino, one night’s accommodation in the hotel, a $40 food and beverage gift certificate for the Scala Lounge so the winner and their guest can enjoy Dueling Pianos.
I write so often about our region and rarely see it through the eyes of visitors. I realized that I’ve never actually spent the night in a Vancouver hotel even though I recommend so many to those who seek my advice. I think this is a fantastic opportunity to discover that what’s there for tourists is also available for locals to enjoy.
Here’s how you can enter to win this Night Away/Dueling Pianos contest:
- Leave a comment this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw two winners, who will each get a prize package, at random from all entries at 10:00am on Thursday, October 27, 2011. You must be 19 years of age or older to enter, win, and play at the casino. Please enjoy responsibly and know your limit, play within it. The prize packages are redeemable for bookings on a Thursday night as they are bundled with the Dueling Pianos performance. The $40 for Scala Lounge cannot be used on alcohol or gratuity.
Update The winner is Lisa! (comment from October 21) AND @DarrylAMiller.
Tonight Food Network Canada is premiering Recipe to Riches, their latest reality competition series where participants submit original recipes to see which will become the next President’s Choice retail item (along with a cash prizes for the winner).
Hosted by Jesse Palmer (former NFL quarterback and contestant on “The Bachelor”), the episodes are separated into categories: Appetizers, Cakes, Entrees, Frozen Treats, Savoury Pies, Sweet and Savoury Snacks, Sweet Puddings and Pies. On tonight’s Sweet Puddings and Pies episode, you’ll be able to catch local food blogger Mijune of Follow Me Foodie as she presents her Canadian Pie-in-a-Jar.
“I’m very excited for not just my episode, but for the entire series!” Mijune told me by email. “I’m very honoured to be a finalist (from Vancouver!) and have my recipe selected by such a team of professional judges. I couldn’t be happier regardless of the outcome! The support from everyone has been incredible and I haven’t even won anything, but I feel like I have. It’s overwhelming, but it feels great!”
A winner in each category will be decided and just a few days later, you will be able to pick up the winning recipe in Superstores across Canada. So, if Mijune wins tonight, you could be able to pick up her Canadian Pie-in-a-Jar as early as October 22, 2011.
In case you’re wondering what the Pie-in-a-Jar entails, Mijune says, “Canada is known as a melting pot of cultures, so I created the melting PIE of cultures.”
“It’s an almond crust, with cardamom and Mexican vanilla bean spiced Bartlett and Asian pears, topped with a maple cinnamon creme brulee crust.”
The very last category to air will be Entrees on November 30th and the winner’s product will be in stores across Canada as of December 3, 2011. Weekly winners will receive $25,000 (along with the production of their recipe item) and the grand prize is $250,000.
There are a few more contestants from Burnaby, Whistler, North Vancouver, and Vancouver so be sure to cheer on your home-town favourites.
Tonight’s Sweet Puddings and Pies episode will be on Food Network Canada at 6:00pm Pacific time (check local listings for exact channels). Read Mijune’s feedback about the episode tomorrow on her Follow Me Foodie blog.
Fred Herzog‘s photos of Vancouver during the 1950’s and 1960’s not only changed the way we see our city’s past but revolutionized the art of street photography. His crisp colour photos of Vancouver’s neon days give us a glimpse at days gone by along bustling downtown streets. In partnership with Vancouver’s 125th anniversary celebration, the Knowledge Network is presenting a film about Herzog’s works next month.
When Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 7:00pm
Where Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at SFU, Woodward’s District
What An advanced screening of the Fred Herzog film from Snapshot with special presentations by Douglas Coupland, Shelagh Rogers, Gary Stephen Ross, Sam Sullivan and Andy Sylvester. The event will also serve as the launch new book entitled Fred Herzog: Photographs published by Douglas and McIntyre.
If you would like to attend this event and film screening, I have two tickets to give away thanks to Knowledge. 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 at 10:00am next Tuesday, October 25, 2011.
Update The winner is @kathykatcogo!
Halloween is a special time of year for children. They get to carve pumpkins, make crafts and decorate, dress up as their favourite characters, and bring in a haul of treats. As you get older the activities, parties, and experiences change until you’re fortunate enough to have a family of your own so you can re-live that childhood excitement with your own little ones.
There are activities you can both enjoy, like the Stanley Park Ghost Train but I thought I would also roundup a list of community events happening around the region that are all specifically for younger children.
Halloween Fireworks in Richmond
Your family can enjoy free fireworks displays on Halloween night from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at several locations in Richmond including Minoru Park, the West Richmond Community Centre, and the South Arm Community Centre. The events are for all ages and will include clowns, magic tricks, stilt-walkers, fire jugglers, hot chocolate, games and more.
Halloween on the Heights
Burnaby Heights is hosting a series of events October 29th to October 30th including a Spooky Boogie dance for ages 7 to 18, Halloween train rides on the miniature railway in Confederation Park, and Trick or Treating on October 31st. Families are also welcome to head over to Gilmore School on Halloween night for a fireworks display around 8:00pm.
Little Spooks & Friendly Ghosts at VanDusen Garden
For ages 9 and younger, there will be crafts, games, and performances at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Admission will be at a reduced rate from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on October 29th. Tickets are available at the front gate and activities include learning to juggle, making spooky wind catchers, and playing a giant Jenga game – presented by Aldor Acres.
PoCo Jelly Bean Dance
Happening from 6:15pm to 9:15pm on October 28th, this costumed Halloween dance is just for kids in grades 4 to 6. Presented by PoCo Youth in the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre gym, there will be games, prizes, and of course music and dancing. Parents are welcome and the event is supervised by Parks and Recreation staff. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 on dance night.
Halloween Fun in New Westminster
The New Westminster Public Library presents a special Halloween event on October 28th for ages 4 to 10. There will be ghostly stories and crafts in the Children’s Room at the library on 6th Ave.
Pumpkin Power at the Surrey Museum
Drop into the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale for this event for kids on October 29th. Do some crafts, decorate pumpkins, view carved jack o’lanterns, and even eat some pumpkin pie from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Admission is by donation.
Halloween Hoopla in Burnaby
Head to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on October 29th from 12:30 to 3:00pm where kids can enjoy crafts, games, face painting and of course ice skating. Regular skate admission applies and costumes are optional, but encouraged.
Family Fright at the Fort
Wear your costumes to Fort Langley’s production of “Justine Beaver’s Halloween Adventure” on October 29th and 30th. Showtimes are 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm with activities open around the fort from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
You can view a full list of October events in my monthly post. Should you have any to add, or any community events coming up in November, please feel free to contact me with details.
Having just passed the half-way point in the construction of the Port Mann Bridge I thought I would showcase photos of the impressive 10-lane superstructure this week. The following is a collection of Port Mann Bridge photos (past and present) that have been contributed to the Miss604 Group on Flickr. I also received permission to use a few from the project’s official account Flickr.
As always, click through on the images to see more from each photographer and please feel free to submit your photos to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.
