Last day thousands of men around the world shaved one final time before taking a 30-day hiatus from the razor. Movember is back again and your friends, colleagues, brothers, sons, and fathers are growing out their facial hair in exchange for pledges that will support prostate cancer research in their communities.

Back in 2009 I met with Movember’s founder, Adam Garone of Melbourne, who started the campaign with his friends in 2003. Since that time, Movember has grown into a worldwide movement with over 118,000 participants in Canada last year (raising over $22 million). “Of the original group, two of the guys had dads with prostate cancer so we started researching,” Adam told me during our interview. He said they found there was a significant gap in awareness and fundraising for this particular cause at the time.

“Prostate cancer is over 90 per cent curable if detected and treated in its earliest stages. in addition to investing in research, Movember raises awareness and ultimately saves lives. Together we are changing the face of men’s health.” – Steve Jones, CEO and President, Prostate Cancer Canada. About Movember Canada.

Last year, I noticed many more companies getting on board by offering up specials or themed products for Movember participants. Granville Island Brewing is doing a photo contest this year and Rickard’s has mustached beer cans.

There are also prizes available for participants that will awarded at the local parties at the end of the campaign. Vancouver’s wrap-up gala will be December 1, 2011 at the Commodore and there’s a Mo-Off concert at the Biltmore on November 30th with The Matinée, Redbird, and Portage and Main.

Visit Movember Canada to find a team, individual, or make a general donation. If you want to support someone random, I’m going to recommend my pal Gus Fosarolli who has been a “MoBro” for the last three years and is leading his company team this time around. Good luck to all the MoBros and MoSistas (who will watch the wild facial hair grow) over the next month.

The very popular Circle Craft Christmas Market returns for its 38th year this month at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. I have still never been but everyone I have talked to (even during the summer months) says that they can’t wait for Circle Craft. From knits and ornaments to unique kitchen wares and gift ideas, this market has it all.

Dates & Times
November 9-13, 2011
Wednesday to Friday 10:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am to 7:00pm, Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm

Location
Vancouver Convention Centre West (new one), 1055 Canada Place

Tickets
Adults are $12 at the door, seniors $10, students $10 (save when booking online)

Exhibitors this year fall into several categories: aboriginal, candles & soap, children’s clothing, clay, clothing, dolls & toys, fashion accessories, fashion jewelry, fibre, fine jewelry, food, glass, home decor, leather, metal, miscellaneous, visual arts, wood, and Christmas decorations.

Photo credit: 2010 Circle Craft

The market is an initiative of the Circle Craft Co-Operative, a BC Artist Co-Operative that is “dedicated to providing opportunities for craftspeople to connect with the community.” Year-round you can find locally-made goods at the shop on Granville Island and as I mentioned, the market is an annual highlight for many.

If you would like passes to the Circle Craft Christmas Market, I have a pair available. 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 at 12:00pm on Monday, November 7, 2011.

Update The winner is Nicole (neeko17)!

Delta Hotels is currently hosting a contest called The Delta Difference and they would like to hear about your experiences with them. Through their Facebook page, you can submit your entry until November 24, 2011. The winner will receive a $1,295 grand prize package that includes a three-night stay at a Delta, a room upgrade, dinner, a car rental, and more.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt

From my own experience, I’ve stayed at the Delta Ocean Pointe in Victoria more than any other Delta (or any other hotel during all my travels). My sister, aunt, niece, mother and I would go there for a “girls’ getaway” every spring. We liked the Ocean Pointe because aside from the beautiful views of the harbour, the large swimming pool, and the spa, they had a lot to entertain my niece. She got a gift bag on check-in, had a mini robe waiting up in the room, and could come down to the grand lobby in the evening for story-time (complete with milk and cookies). These were never media trips (I didn’t even blog at the time) and every child was treated this way. It always made the trip extra special for my niece… until she decided she was too old for story-time.

To promote their grand giveaway package, Delta Hotels is offering up something special for my readers: A one-night stay in any Delta Hotel. The winner and a guest will be able to stay for free, at any Delta location – from St. John’s to Winnipeg and Whistler – there are 46 properties across Canada. Here’s how you can enter to win my contest:

• Leave a comment on this post naming the Delta you would stay with (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 10:00am Thursday, November 10, 2011. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. The prize is redeemable for a one-night stay for two at any Delta Hotel Ltd. property in Canada.

Update The winner is “Steph :)”

Jaeger Mah is 76 days into his 80 day stay at the Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”). During the summer he won the Live @ YVR contest to become a live-in reporter at the terminal and has stayed on Sea Island ever since.

“I can officially check three items off my bucket list:
1) Feed a wolf eel 2) Wed two lovers in holy matrimony
and 3) sing songs with a famous country musician.
The best part is, I did it all in one day!” – Live @ YVR

“This is the biggest thing that’s happened to me,” Jaeger told me during a call last week. “It becomes your world, it becomes your life.” This assignment has been enlightening for Jaeger to say the least who said he’s experienced the “heart and soul” of the airport over the last few months.

Through behind-the-scenes tours, job shadowing, interviews with travelers, and staying overnight in the Fairmont looking out onto the North runway, Jaeger has been able to crank out dozens of videos and blog posts about life at YVR. Video production has been a hobby of Jaeger’s for years and he has been able to hone his skills through this intense schedule.

He admits that he had no idea how airports operated when he signed up but now that he’s been able to follow and document some of the 24,000 people who work on Sea Island, he has a deep appreciation for all that makes YVR tick. “I have been granted this amazing wealth of knowledge that most people don’t have.” Jaeger described airplane operations, loading up cargo, and some of his own touching interactions with employees, one who even brought him home-cooked meals.

“I didn’t expect to get five cavities filled,” he laughed. There is in fact a dentist in the domestic terminal that looked at his teeth when he complained of some pain. A couple fillings later (and some education about his teeth grinding) his personal health even benefited from this unique job experience.

Now an authoritative expert in all things YVR, Jaeger offered up a great suggestion for those who want to go hang out on Sea Island for a day to get a small sample of what he’s enjoyed. He said to take the free shuttle from the Main Terminal over to the historic South Terminal. You can check out old photographs (this was the original airport after all), watch planes land on the river, and enjoy a burger n’ beer at the Flying Beaver.

From the sounds of it, Jaeger is going to miss the place he’s called home for the last 19 weeks but at least he has personal diary blog posts and photos along with over 60 videos filled with memories that will live on. As for what’s next? He’d like to continue documenting, sharing human interest stories, and even exploring more airports around the world.

During my recent trip the Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, I had the chance to kayak on the Columbia River during the annual chinook salmon run in early October.

Instead of taking a lot of photos above the water…I dipped my camera under the kayak to give you a unique view of the activity happening underwater during this time of the year:

I’m not sure how many salmon we saw that day but I was told there was hundreds of thousands in the stretch of river we paddled which was about five kilometers.

This guided kayaking tour from the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is suitable for all ages and all experience levels. The guides were knowledgeable, able to answer questions, help you get unstuck and made for an enjoyable afternoon paddle down the river.