The Vancouver Canucks hit the ice at Rogers Arena tonight to officially begin their 2011-2012 season as they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the events of June behind us, members of the Canucks Nation are looking straight ahead, and moving on. If you’re preparing yourself for another season of hockey with heart, here’s a quick guide to help you take in all the action.
The Team
We have a few new faces on the Canucks roster this season. Andrew Ebbett, Marco Sturm, Mark Mancari, Steven Pinizzotto, Alexander Sulzer, and Dale Weise [see a full list in the NucksMisconduct season preview].
Where to Watch
For most people, it’s a toss up between their living room and Rogers Arena for the best fan experience. However, there are some great dine-out options in Vancouver during the game. Many local pubs and restaurants have stepped up their audio and visuals (flat screens, house sound system, etc.) for games and you can’t beat the deals they offer on game days.
The Canucks officially partner with the following during the season: Beyond Restaurant + Lounge (on Burrard), Boston Pizza (over 30 locations in the Lower Mainland alone), The Hurricane Grill (1137 Marinaside in Yaletown), Verace Pizzeria Napoletana (189 Keefer, 1 block from Rogers Arena), The Keg (14 locations in the Vancouver area), and Vera’s Burger Shack (14 Lower Mainland locations).
How to Listen
Can’t get near a television? Tune into TEAM 1040AM to listen to the broadcasts, check out the live stream, and download the Bell Media radio app if you’re on the go.
Blogs
My favourite Canucks bloggers are ready to go this year. Read and subscribe to NucksMisconduct, Canucks Hockey Blog, and Canucks Corner for the best analysis and information. I’m also going to check out Canucks Army and Head to the Net this season.
Apps & Social
Download the Canucks iPhone application for schedules, scores, player biographies and instant updates. Follow @VanCanucks on Twitter and the #Canucks tag. There aren’t many players on Twitter but you’ll find @Ryan_Kesler talking to @KBieksa3 quite a bit.
If you’re using GetGlue (which is like Foursquare but for television and movies) you can check into Hockey Night in Canada and earn team stickers.
Chicago Wolves
Don’t forget that the Canucks’ AHL affiliate team is the Chicago Wolves. Check them out on Twitter and Facebook.
Special Events
The first open practice of the season is this Saturday, October 8, 2011. Stay tuned later in the season for Super Skills information. October 18th will also be designated Rick Rypien night at Rogers Arena and the players will be wearing tributes to #37 on their helmets all season [source: Canucks Hockey Blog].
Getting There
With BC Place open once again, and a few conflicting game nights, parking near the arena might not be an option. Your best bet is to try transit and if you’re coming from the South or East, you can even park & ride at a Canada Line station (like at Bridgeport). Walk over to the Vancouver City Centre, Yaletown Roundhouse, or Waterfront stations after the game and meet up with your car outside of the city (or take it all the way home, combined with a bus if need be).
Here’s to another great season of hockey. Cheers to everyone who has the Heart of a Canuck. Go Canucks Go!
The Centre for Child Development is hosting their annual Gala of Hope Fundraiser next month in Surrey.
What 12th Anniversary “It Takes Two to Tango” Gala of Hope.
Sample wines of Argentina and experience the tango. Hear inspiring stories from current and past clients as you help raise funds to support children with special needs.
When Saturday, November 12th, 2011.
Wine reception 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Three course dinner from 7:30pm.
Where Northview Golf & Country Club, Surrey.
Tickets Available by calling (604) 591-5903 or email [email protected].
This cause is dear to me and the Centre for Child Development has been a part of my hometown community for as long as I can remember. If you can’t make it to the gala you can check out the Halloween Fun Run at the Shops at Morgan Crossing. Proceeds from the 5km fun run on October 30th will also support the Centre for Child Development.
The Centre for Child Development helps children with the most complex and severe developmental disabilities. Established in 1953, The Centre serves more than 2,000 children per year, ages 0-19 across Surrey, Langley, Delta and White Rock.
More information is available online and you can follow @CDFBC on Twitter or Facebook.
It was on this day in 1893 that the Hudson’s Bay Company opened a store at the corner of Georgia and Granville streets. 118 years later, the company is still in the same location (albeit in a different building). It’s been a shopping destination, a meeting place, and a gleaming beacon of Canadian pride during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.
The first Bay store in Vancouver actually opened in Gastown, on January 17, 1887. It sold things like saws, axes, and lanterns. The following collection features the Hudson’s Bay Company in Vancouver over the years.
1893 – Hudson’s Bay Store (on the corner) at the 600 block of Granville. Archives item# Str P170.
1901 – Hudson’s Bay Store decorated for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
Archives item# Duke of C and Y P7.
1917 – Roof of the Hudson’s Bay Store. Looking at Granville.
Birks Building, Vancouver Block, and the 2nd Hotel Vancouver. VPL Accession Number: 20150
1917 – Policeman at the intersection of Granville and Georgia. VPL Accession Number: 20388
1923 – Hudson’s Bay Store on the right. Looking North on Granville from Georgia.
Archives item# Str P428.
1923 – Hudson’s Bay Store decorated for US President Harding’s visit. Looking North on Granville.
Archives item# Port P942.10. Photographer: W.J. Moore.
1927 – Hudson’s Bay Store. VPL Accession Number: 11261. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
1935 – Hudson’s Bay Store. Archives item# Bu P217.
1936 – Hudson’s Bay Store. Archives item# Bu N520.3. Photographer: W.J. Moore.
1956 – Hudson’s Bay Store. VPL Accession Number: 43364. Photographer: The Province Newspaper.
The pages were flipped with each new month until I lazily tacked up the completed calendar displaying its cover image for an extra 10 months. The black and white photo of three children with arms linked together hung on our wall until I realized it was no longer 2010 and we hadn’t picked anything up for 2011. This week I’ll be heading out into downtown Vancouver to find a vendor for the 2012 Hope in Shadows calendar to replace my old edition.
Catherine sold me the 2010 calendar outside Waterfront Station.
The images featured in 2012 the calendar are among 4,000 submitted to this year’s campaign. Disposable cameras were handed out to residents in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and communities impacted by poverty. The photos were printed and 40 finalists were selected, including the winning images that don the pages of the calendar. One thing that struck me this year (I realize I missed last year’s print) is that the calendar used to be solely black and white but now it’s in colour. I spoke with Paul Ryan, Project Director at Hope in Shadows, about the change.
“Every year since 2006 the cameras have been colour cameras because they don’t make disposables in black and white,” Paul explained. “We were able to see some [photos] in colour and they were amazing.” They did a survey about 18 months ago and found that people were receptive to the idea of doing both colour and black and white shots. The decision was a popular one last year so they did the same for the 2012 calendar. “It’s a good thing to keep innovating,” he added. “A lot of people feel the colourful photos are a little more hopeful.”
“Eastside Magic” winning cover image for 2012 by Kim Washburn. © Pivot Legal Society. Used with permission.
The Hope in Shadows calendar project, now in its 9th year, allows homeless and low-income individuals in Vancouver to become vendors. They pick up the calendar from head office for $10 each and sell them for $20 around the city. Paul told me that last week 39 vendors were trained and they have additional training sessions all week at the Portland Hotel Society‘s Life Skills Centre. “I think we’ll probably train about 200 people based on the demand from the last two years,” said Paul. They currently have 140 active vendors who are purchasing more than one calendar so they can go out and sell.
Paul told me that selling calendars is a stepping stone for a lot of people. “It helps them gain self-esteem and build confidence. It’s a way that they can feel good about earning money again.” Some of the vendors use the program to compliment a low-income for their household as well, especially with the holidays around the corner.
Look for vendors outside high-traffic areas like SkyTrain stations, Canada Line Stations, Chapters on Broadway at Granville, or Chapters on Robson and Howe. There are some retail outlets as well such as Banyen Books, Book Warehouse, Vancouver Special, and Red Cat Records.
There will be a photography exhibit with the 40 finalist images from October 11th to the 29th at the Pendulum Gallery (West Georgia at Hornby). Follow Hope in Shadows on Twitter for more information and view past exhibitions online.
Update December 27, 2011: A record-breaking 14,000 calendars have been sold, one thousand more than last year! [source]
The 7th annual Taste of Yaletown is coming up October 19 to October 30, 2011. This campaign is your chance to explore the best Yaletown restaurants and bistros have to offer through fixed-priced 3-course menus.
Glowbal Grill
Participants include Hapa Izakaya ($25 Menu), Charm Modern Thai ($25 Menu), Yaletown Brewing Company ($35 Menu), Provence Marinaside ($35 Menu), Goldfish Seafood & Chops ($35 Menu), and over a dozen more. Full menus are available online.
r.tl Regional Tasting Lounge
Aside from exploring new-to-you dining options in this downtown neighbourhood you can also support a cause. When you order off the Taste of Yaletown menu at participating restaurants partial proceeds will be donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
Follow Taste of Yaletown on Facebook and Twitter to learn about more special offers. Miss604.com is proud to sponsor the Taste of Yaletown for the second year.
