Rowena’s Inn at Harrison Mills

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Review — Our stay was compliments of Rowena's and I paid for our eco-tour, which I would highly recommend as well. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

In just under two hours the drive to Harrison Mills from Vancouver runs through the bustling city, across bridges, past big-box stores and commuter coffee pit stops before it winds down along the Fraser River and eventually coasts into an open valley. Before crossing the bridge to Kilby and heading into Harrison and Agassiz, you’ll find the turn off for the award-winning Sandpiper Golf Club and a historic bed & breakfast called Rowena’s Inn.

Weekend at Rowena's Inn

The inn is a beautiful summer home that, over the last few decades, has been built up to offer quaint and comfortable accommodation paired with delicious meals and unparalleled river views. There are four suites in the inn itself (each named after one of the children of the family that owned the property) and four cottages (which I supposed we would be more inclined to call cabins). Since there is so much history and so much ground to cover, between the golf course, the restaurant (open to everyone, not just guests), and the accommodations, I’ll start by featuring the inn suites.

Weekend at Rowena's Inn Weekend at Rowena's Inn

Weekend at Rowena's Inn

John and I were led on a tour of the inn by Betty Anne Faulkner whose father, Charles Pretty, built the English manor house for the family in the 1920s. The inn is named after Betty Anne’s mother so it was a real treat to hear stories not only about the inn, but of the home, the antiques her parents collected (which decorate every room), and about the family. History poured out of every sheet of wallpaper, and newspaper clippings about Charles are on display in the reading room upstairs. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

West Vancouver Museum Home Tour: Celebrating West Coast Modernism

Comments 3 by Michelle Kim

Though I usually write about films and plays —things that happen in theatres— for this post, I will be writing about homes. A few weeks ago, the West Vancouver Museum held its six annual home tour, featuring five West Coast modern homes, which I attended and which I knew I had to write about. But such a topic isn’t completely incongruent with what I usually write about. Because after all, homes are the theatres of our everyday lives.


Photos from the West Vancouver Museum Facebook page used with permission.

The event started just before noon with hundreds of participants gathering at the West Vancouver Museum as a starting point and piling on buses with prominent Vancouver architects serving as tour guides (lucky participants). There were also people who decided to do the tour on their own, collecting maps disclosing the locations of the houses, and jetting off in their cars.

The first home I visited was the Hancock Family Home, designed by Mel Lauder (who built approximately 400 houses in the Greater Vancouver area) in 1959. When the Hancocks first moved into the house in 1991, it was in a state of disrepair. There were rats in the ceiling, casement windows hanging by one hinge, and all the woodwork had been painted pink. It took current homeowner architect James Hancock and contractor Francis Jacquet over 25 years to turn into the ideal West Coast modern family home.

When I arrived at the next home I had every intention on taking notes, but I was so distracted by how dramatic the house was that I didn’t write a single word.

The Taylor Residence was built in 1983 and designed by famed architect Dan White. Geographically, you would think the site would be impossible to build a house on because not only does the site consist of a steep river gully, but the gully leads over a cliff to the ocean. The house was built for bridge-engineer Peter Taylor and his wife, and with the home built to the very point where the gully plunges over a cliff, it actually looks like a bridge—only a very habitable one.

The Water Lane Residence was built only last year by Mason Kent. The challenge of the site was a massive rock and both the owners and the architect did not want to blast it but wanted to work around the environment, one of the key characteristics of West Coast Modernism. The house tightly wraps itself around a massive rock outcropping, there are tons of skylights allowing natural light to filter throughout, and large windows and eclipse doors, which help being in the continuous flow between inside and outside. I really loved this house and I related to it the most for some reason.


Taylor Residence / Water Lane Residence. Photos from the West Vancouver Museum Facebook page

The Vaughan Residence, whose builder is unknown, was next but whose owner and renovator is very well known. Don Vaughan is one of Vancouver’s most prominent landscape architects, primarily known for his collaboration with Arthur Erickson on various projects including the Museum of Anthrolopology, Simon Fraser University and the Law Courts. Needless to say, the surrounding grounds were beautiful with bamboo, ponds, and gorgeous gardens.The house itself is truly a product of a family changing throughout the years and that change is reflected in the expansions and nooks (both he and he wife are now retired and now artists and have studios in separate parts in the house). It was a incredibly warm home, inside and out, and the fact that Don Vaughan offered me cookies in the kitchen, added to the warmth.

Last but not least was the Plummer Residence–a true jewel and prime example of West coast mid-century modernism. Designed by famed architect Fred Hollingsworth, the house was built in 1953 for his longtime friend and lawyer Robert Plommer. Stepping into this home is like stepping into a museum—a very livable museum. The owners, Francesca Patterson and Peter Rozee, have almost been religious in preserving the home, even going as so far as to wait over four months a mid-century fawn beige toilet ordered from a supplier in Kentucky.

I loved this tour and I’m absolutely going back next year. And though it may seem pricey ($100), I would have to say it’s really worth it and obviously I’m not the only one—considering that the event was sold out. I urge all Vancouverites to go next year (get your tickets early) because not only is the tour incredibly organized (stocked with an army of volunteers—special shout out to volunteer Katherine Tong for driving me that day) and a pleasant way to spend your afternoon, but it was also incredibly educational on the history of West Coast living.

This feature was written exclusively for Miss604 by actor, writer, and producer, Michelle Kim. Read all posts contributed by Michelle for Miss604.com and follow her on Twitter @miju.

Nokia & WIND Mobile Giveaway

Comments 383 by Rebecca Bollwitt

This week I’ll be participating in the Nokia Xplore Challenge that will see me trade places with a suburban blogger for a day while she comes downtown and we both complete tasks that we planned for each other. Using a Nokia X7 handset, we’ll navigate and document our separate adventures. You’ll see me tweeting throughout the day on Wednesday from Abbotsford and Jodi from Rants and Rascals will be doing the same from Vancouver.

While I was waiting for my Nokia X7 to arrive (disclosure: courtesy of Nokia) I was approached to run a giveaway for a different handset, the Nokia C7. Given that I’ll be doing the Xplore Challenge this week, I signed on to spread the smartphone wealth and give away a bundle of Nokia C7s to my readers.

This week you can enter to win 1 of 10 Nokia C7 handsets + 1 month of free service from WIND Mobile ($45 Genius Plan + $10/Data Add-On); approximate value, $405.

Nokia C7-00

More about the Nokia C7: Full-touch glass display, integrated social networks, thousands of apps at Ovi Store, three customizable home screens, 8megapixel camera and HD video.

If you would like to win a Nokia C7 handset with a month of free service from WIND Mobile, here’s how you can enter the contest:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I entered to win 1 of 10 Nokia C7s + a month of free @WINDmobile service from @Miss604 http://bit.ly/nokia604

I will draw all ten winners at 9:00am this Friday, July 29, 2011. You can find out how Jodi and I do when we swap cities on Wednesday by following the #NokiaXplore tag on Twitter.

Update My winners are Cheryl L, Toby, Eran, Garrett, @neilfisher, @schmidtec, @vancitygirl83, @small_trio, Amrit Grewal – congratulations!

BC Place Open House

Comments 6 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Over the last year the city’s been watching as our iconic stadium, BC Place, has been getting a makeover. With marshmallow top deflated and a new retractable cloth roof being installed, it will change the way we watch live sport in Vancouver. Your chance to check out the renovated stadium will come July 31st as they host a free public open house of BC Place.

When Sunday, July 31, 2011 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Where Enter through the West Entrance (adjacent to Expo Blvd near Smithe)

In an online poll I conducted in January of this year, 55% of my readers said they were excited about the new look (while the other 45% weren’t). Visitors will be able to walk onto a section of the floor at BC Place as workers continue to install the retractable roof, seats, and other interior upgrades.

down to 20 feet above the floor level I hear
May 2010. Photo credit: Bev Davies on Flickr

Stadium Roof construction webcam - July 6, 2011
July 2011. ©BC Place, PavCo on Flickr

“People see a lot of the exterior changes as they pass by BC Place, but there’s just as many changes inside,” said David Podmore, Chair of PavCo. “In fact, BC Place looks and feels like a new building. So, we’re inviting the community to bring their cameras and take a look inside as we continue our work and head towards our first event, the BC Lions home game on September 30.”

BC Place will also host the 2011 Grey Cup Festival and championship game in November.

Update Here’s a video in case you missed the open house:


Jericho Wharf to be Removed

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Jericho Wharf, originally constructed as a sea plane base during World War II, will soon be demolished and the beach beneath it will be restored.

Downtown from Jericho
Photo credit: Stephen Rees on Flickr

Mark Hasiuk of The Vancouver Courier wrote in November of 2010: “Built for the former Royal Canadian Air Force, the wharf’s exact construction date is unknown although archival evidence dates the wharf back to 1940. During the Second World War, Jericho Beach was home to an RCAF station, which launched coastline air patrols for Japanese submarines. During the Cold War, the wharf (160 metres long, 40 metres wide) helped connect personnel and equipment to amphibious aircraft. In the storied history of wartime installations, the Jericho Wharf barely registers. But in Vancouver, a city isolated from the great conflicts of the last century, it remains a proud symbol of a perilous and bygone era.”

Jericho Wharf 2
Photo credit: Stephen Rees on Flickr

“Since the 1980’s the Wharf has been owned and operated by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. Wharf condition survey reports from 2002 and 2005 conclude that the Wharf is at the end of its serviceable life and that it requires demolition or significant repairs to ensure public safety. Presently, the Wharf is fenced and inaccessible to the public.” [source: Vancouver Park Board via Stephen Rees]

Jericho Wharf 5
Photo credit: Stephen Rees on Flickr

Over the last few years there have been many discussions about the wharf, its historic significance, and what should ultimately be done about the structure.

Jericho Wharf 6
Photo credit: Stephen Rees on Flickr

The Jericho Sailing Centre Association (“JSCA”) said the majority of the wharf was properly demolished in 1978 and the resulting natural beach you can see on one side of the site today. According to The Vancouver Sun, public consultations in 2008 revealed that residents wanted the wharf removed and the beach restored. The JSCA also said it posed a hazard to sailors, and the DFO warned of environmental damage caused by its old pilings.

In 2010, after public consultations and open houses, the Vancouver Park Board voted unanimously to have the wharf removed for “public safety and ecological restoration”. This month, they entered into a contract to officially get the job done. The cost of the wharf’s removal and the restoration of the beach will be about $3 million.