Nokia Xplore Challenge

Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Yesterday I participated in the Nokia Xplore Challenge using a new Nokia X7. The idea was to take an urban blogger (me) and switch them with a suburban blogger (Jodi from RantsnRascals.com). We would make up a route that included five stops of interest and each use our Nokia X7 handsets to plot the course, take photos, check-in to the locations on social networks, and tweet.

Ovi Maps on Nokia X7 Ovi Maps on Nokia X7

I sent Jodi around Granville Island, False Creek (Olympic Village), to Stanley Park (Klahowya Village), and ended her course at Casa Gelato in East Vancouver (where you can find 516 gelato flavours). The route she planned for me went through Aldergrove and Abbotsford. I picked up my sister and one of my nephews in Surrey and we spent the afternoon getting from one location to the next with the help of Ovi Maps (the map application on the Nokia X7). I saved the stops under Favourites > Routes in Ovi Maps and used the GPS to navigate to each location. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Surrey Photowalk: Whalley

Comments 6 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s no secret that I was born and raised in Surrey, and when people ask where I went to school or which neighbourhood I was in I do not hesitate to say Whalley – despite the judgement that may follow. You see, Surrey has a bad reputation in the eyes of some and once you take a closer look, you might wonder why.

Whalley

I lived next to a park with playground, wooded area with fitness circuit, baseball diamonds, swimming pool, and soccer fields. I rode my bike or walked to the corner store to buy penny candy (which was 5 cent candy at the time) and stayed out past twilight playing adventure games in our yard or tree-fort. I loved my childhood home. When my friend and I would walk over to Gateway SkyTrain station to head downtown we were always nervous to get off at Broadway or Granville stations. Were they safe? It was pretty much news to me that I grew up in the area people are currently calling Surrey’s “Inner City”.

Whalley Whalley

Whalley


Photo by: Jenny Miles

A few weeks ago I went for a photowalk with my sister and three of my nephews around my old stomping grounds. We checked out the new community centre and skate park, the home of Whalley Little League, walked down King George Highway, and ended up at the Surrey Farmers Market at Central City.

Whalley

Whalley

Whalley Whalley

Whalley Whalley

Whalley


Photo by: Jenny Miles


Photo by: Jenny Miles

Whalley Whalley

Whalley

Whalley Whalley

Whalley

Whalley Whalley

Whalley Whalley

Whalley

Over the next few weeks I’ll be profiling a different neighbourhood in Surrey by way of a photowalk with my sister. If you’re in the area, feel free to join us (I’ll put a note on Twitter with exact times) as I capture Fleetwood, Guildford, Newton, Cloverdale, and Fraser Heights and South Surrey.

Whitecaps FC vs LA Galaxy, Win Tickets

Comments 63 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The LA Galaxy are in town Saturday to take on our Whitecaps FC at Empire Field. While they’ll be without Beckham, the Galaxy’s stacked line-up should make for a great game against our hometown team.

Although our record isn’t as favourable as we’d like to see it at this point in the season, Whitecaps games are incredibly fun to attend. The chants, the crowds, the North Shore mountains in the background, and a ton of energy can be found at every match.

To top it off, one of our own was recently named to the MLS inactive all-star roster this year.

Vancouver’s Eric Hassli was named to Major League Soccer’s inactive All-Star roster on Monday, and at training on Tuesday, his Whitecaps FC teammates couldn’t say enough good things about the striker. “Everyone has seen what Eric Hassli can do,” defender Wes Knight told MLSsoccer.com. “Unfortunately, they don’t get to see it on a day-to-day basis like we do. He’s just an incredible player and one of the best strikers in this league and it’s great for him to get that [honour].” [source]

Budweiser, as a proud new sponsor of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, is offering up three pairs of tickets so that my readers can take in the Galaxy game on Saturday at 4:30pm.

Here’s how you can enter to win.

  • Leave a comment on this post with your favorite Whitecaps FC cheer – see the Southsiders songs list for reference (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win @WhitecapsFC vs #LAGalaxy tickets from @budcanada and @Miss604 #Goooaaaaal http://ow.ly/5OLMC

    This will be a quick contest as we’ll need to get winners’ names to the box office as soon as possible for this weekend’s game. I’ll draw three winners (who can each bring a guest) tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. No purchase necessary. Please enjoy responsibly.

    Update Winners are: @JoRicafrente, Colin, and Allyson!

    This Week in Vancouver History

    Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

    I don’t think I’ll ever tire of sharing the city’s past and discovering the true meaning behind nicknames, street names, geographic locations and neighbourhoods. While still in the middle of our Vancouver 125 milestone year, anniversary events continue and more history is celebrated each day. I thought today would be an opportune time to look back at This Week in Vancouver History (since I don’t do so as often as I should).

    July 24
    1994: The Orpheum’s Star Walk was installed to honor the best in BC entertainment. In 2007, it was removed during the Granville Street redesign and has been replaced within the last year.

    July 25
    1898: Coquitlam was incorporated as a city. It would shrink in size when Port Coquitlam (within its boundaries) would incorporate in 1918.

    July 26
    1923: US President Warren Harding visited Vancouver and spoke to a crowd of 50,000. A statue in Stanley Park commemorates this visit.

    Harding Memorial #07
    Photo credit: Iam I.A.M. on Flickr

    July 27
    1929: Following his solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh toured the Pacific Northwest, visiting Seattle. Vancouver’s mayor at the time, L.D. Taylor, invited him up and he refused saying, “your airport isn’t fit to land on.” According to Chuck Davis, that embarrassed Vancouver, and prompted the push to build a suitable airport (which opened in 1931).

    Terry Fox
    Photo credit: Scoobyfoo on Flickr

    July 28
    1958: Terrance Stanley Fox was born in Winnipeg. His family then moved to Port Coquitlam and Terry became a national hero during his Marathon of Hope after losing his leg to cancer. Terry is still considered a local and national icon and this year we tragically lost his mother, Betty Fox, to illness as well.

    July 29
    1930: Hastings Mill Store was moved by barge from Dunlevy Street to where it sits today, in Kitsilano.

    July 30
    1962: The Trans Canada Highway opened and became the longest national highway in the world (at 7,821kms end to end). It dips into Vancouver proper once it crosses Boundary Road and exits again when it goes across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge on its way to Horseshoe Bay, Nanaimo, and down to Victoria. There, at “Mile 0” of the Trans Canada Highway, you’ll find a statue of Terry Fox.

    For some great reads about local history check out the Vancouver Archives‘ blog “AuthentiCity“, and Chuck Davis’ “History of Metropolitan Vancouver“. The Dependent also posts a “This Day in History” series along with photos from the Vancouver Archives.

    Celebration of Light Bleacher Contest 3

    Comments 137 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    The Celebration of Light fireworks nights are fast-approaching and as the weather dries up (even if the sun isn’t shining) locals are already thinking about which spot they’ll stake out on the beach. For those wanting a different experience this year, you can purchase reserved bleacher seats in English Bay. You’ll have an unobstructed view of the fireworks barge in English Bay and even be able to enjoy artists on the ShoreFest concert stage.

    Tribute to China
    Photo credit: Tyler Ingram on Flickr

    I’ve hosted two contests already, one for bleacher seats on July 30th with China, and another for Spain on August 3rd. The final pair of reserved bleacher seats for Canada next Wednesday, August 6th are now up for grabs. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite country that has presented at the Celebration of Light OR who you would look forward to seeing (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win reserved bleacher seats for @CelebofLight fireworks from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/5O2fA

    I will draw the winner at random from all entries on Monday, August 1st at 9:00am.

    Rough drawing of Fireworks Info
    For the best viewing locations, road closures and more, check out my
    Guide to the Fireworks published in 2010.

    Follow the Celebration of Light on Twitter or Facebook for updates leading up to this summer’s events and add your photos to their group on Flickr.

    Update The contest winner is James (@jstewart007)!