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.
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.
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.
The first Grey Cup game at BC Place stadium was played in front of a crowd of 59,345 in 1983.
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
In 1994 the BC Lions won their first Grey Cup in nine years against the Baltimore CFL Colts.
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.
