Hats Off Day 2011

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Hats Off Day is a community celebration along East Hastings where local merchants tip their hats to those who support their business.

2010 Hats Off Day - Photo: Eric Lessman 2010 Hats Off Day 2010 Hats Off Day - Photo: Millie Kuyer
Photo credits: Burnaby Heights Merchants Association: Eric Lessman, Simone Callahan, Millie Kuyer

Organized by the Burnaby Heights Merchants Association, it starts off with a parade and is followed by hours of activities, food, games, shopping, a show & shine, and entertainment. While closed to traffic, public can explore this free festival on East Hastings (between Boundary and Gamma) from 9:00am until 3:00pm, Saturday, June 4th.

2010 Hats Off Day - Photo: Millie Kuyer Swinging Girl Celebration 2010 Hats Off Day - Photo: Millie Kuyer
Photo credits: Burnaby Heights Merchants Association: Millie Kuyer, Denis Lee, Millie Kuyer

Surrounding the iconic “Heights” – formerly “Helens” – landmark neon sign, Burnaby Heights is a close-knit community filled with a rich history of urban and residential development.

Explore the Heights any time and be sure to mark Hats Off Day into your summer calendar. Volunteer opportunities are still available as well. Follow the Burnaby Heights Merchants Association on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.

Miss604.com is a proud sponsor of Hats Off Day 2011.

Mining Week in BC 2011

Comments 428 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Celebrating one of the province’s oldest and largest industry’s, Mining Week in BC kicks off today. Events include the Teck Children’s Hospital Fundraiser, a Women in Mining Gala Reception, and business luncheons in Vancouver, Campbell River, Smithers, Prince George and Kamloops.

Britannia Mine Media Day Tour
Photo credit: John Bollwitt. From the Britannia Mine Museum

In Vancouver there will be a Mining Week Community Fair at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 10:00am until 3:00pm on Wednesday, May 11. More than 300 students from schools across BC (and the public) have been invited to learn about geology, minerals, and the source of many household items used daily.

Also at the Vancouver Art Gallery, on Thursday, May 12, check out the Mining for Miracles campaign in support of BC Children’s Hospital. A committee of mining industry executives (who formed Mining for Miracles in 1988) have been fundraising and will take part in a pie-throw – making themselves the targets – for this cause.

Britannia Mine Media Day Tour
Photo credit: John Bollwitt. From the Britannia Mine Museum

To promote Mining Week in BC, the Mining Association is giving away 5 iPads (which are made with aluminum and other metals) to those who fill out and answer a mining-related quiz on the IHeartMining website. They have also offered a iPad2 with WiFi (32GB, black) to a Miss604 reader. Here’s how you can enter to win an iPad2 from me:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Attend a free Mining Week event like the Community Fair or Mining for Miracles at the Vancouver Art Gallery this Wednesday or Thursday & post a photo to Twitter, tagging it #miningweek (5 entries)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win an iPad2 from @miss604 courtesy of @MA_BC in celebration of BC #miningweek http://ow.ly/4QvZX

    I will compile all of the entries and draw a winner at random at 10:00am, Saturday May 14, 2011. For more information you can find the Mining Association of BC on Facebook and Twitter.

    Update After compiling the 827 entries, one person’s name was drawn and that is Duncan Stephen (who commented but also goes by @discostep on Twitter) – congratulations!

    Robson Square Artisan Market

    Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    Located under Robson Street, where the ice rink entertains in the winter months, the Robson Square Artisan Market is now accepting applications for the 2011 season. They are looking for artisan vendors & family friendly entertainment for the season starting June 4th.

    Vancouver 2010: Riding the Zipline at Robson Square
    2010 Olympic zipline. Photo credit: susan gittins on Flickr

    The market will be open Saturdays and Sundays this summer from 10:00am until 3:00pm. There is a one-time registration fee but after that, entertainers are invited to busk and they will welcome groups or solo acts. Stalls will be 8′ wide by 7′ and are not limited to just the skating rink area.

    You can apply via the Robson Square Artisan Market website until May 18th, 2011. Find the market on Twitter or Facebook for updates, news, and contests throughout the summer.

    Hairspray at The Arts Club

    Comments 128 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    The Arts Club Theatre Company is presenting the Tony-award winning musical Hairspray from May 12 until July 10, 2011.

    hairspray arts club
    Adam Charles and Jennie Neumann in the Arts Club’s production of Hairspray.
    Photo by David Cooper.

    Amidst the doo-wop and sock-hops of ‘60s Baltimore, pleasantly plump Tracy Turnblad won’t let popular Amber Von Tussle squash her dream of dancing on a local TV teen variety show. Can a girl with big ideas (and really big hair!) change the world…and win the heart of dreamy Link Larkin? Welcome to the ‘60s!

    Director Bill Millerd says Jay Brazea was born to play the role of Tracy’s mom Edna (a female role typically played by an actor in drag) and it’s a just really fun show – the type that will leave you smiling. Tickets for the production at the Stanley Theatre are available now, starting at $29.

    I have two tickets to give away as well, here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win tickets to Hairspray @TheArtsClub from @Miss604 http://bit.ly/hairspray604

    I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 10:00am on Monday, May 16th.

    Update The winner is Victoria!

    Mother’s Day Events in Vancouver 2011

    Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    Mother’s Day is coming up Sunday, May 8, 2011 and if you would like to treat that mom in your life to something special, there’s no shortage of activities and events around town.

    Lovely

    Tourism Vancouver has a great “Top 10” list on their blog including deals from their Tourist in Your Own Town campaign and their top picks for spa treatments.

    Here are just a few more suggestions for Sunday:

  • For green-thumbed mothers, bring your boots and gloves to help out at Derby Reach Park in Langley. They’re looking for volunteers to help pull invasive plants from the park between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.
  • Pacific Spirit Regional Park is hosting a mystery-solving scavenger hunt for kids (and moms). Meet at the 16th avenue and Sasamat entrance to the park at 1:00pm to join in for free on “Critter Capers – Case of More Missing Berries“.
  • One of our favourite Sea to Sky attractions, the Britannia Mine Museum, is hosting “Take Tea with Mom” on Sunday at 12:00pm. Cost is $5 in advance or $6 if you drop-in on Sunday. Enjoy afternoon tea with scones and jam followed by a visit to the museum, a walk on the boardwalk, and browse the museum’s gemstone collection.
  • If your mom likes to shop her heart out take her to Yaletown where they’re hosting a full week of retail-related events. Mother’s Day Week has the world’s first neighbourhood Groupon deals and you can enter her to win $5,000 grand prize Yaletown experience.
  • Explore the historic Stewart Farm in South Surrey and check out their “Mothers of Invention” exhibit. It’s a celebration of the ingenuity and innovation of women and Sunday will be the last day. The farm will be open for tours and the exhibit from 12:00pm until 4:00pm.
  • Brunch is a tradition in many families and the Open Table restaurant reservation service has a full list of local eateries and cafes serving up sweet deals on Sunday. A few highlights are the Mother’s Day Signature Afternoon Tea Service at Urban Tea Merchants or r.tl (Regional Tasting Lounge)’s prime rib dinner.
  • The Pan Pacific is going all-out for brunch from dim sum and sushi to salmon and omelettes. The will also have a Kidz Zone filled with activities to keep the young ones busy. $2 from every Mother’s Day Brunch will be donated to the BC Children’s Hospital.
  • Weather-permitting (or if you enjoy a good stroll in the rain) you can head out and enjoy a Metro Vancouver Park with loved ones.
  • While it’s not really an event, you can show a local mom blogger that you care by voting for her in the Vancouver Mom “Favourite Vancouver Mom Blogger” competition. They listed their top 30 picks and now you can vote on your favourites. Moms that don’t blog can hopefully discover some new daily reads from the list of finalists. The winner will be announced on Sunday.
  • Moms are precious and even if time, travel, or life prevents you from meeting up this Sunday, sometimes just touching base with a note, a call, even an email, can let them know you care – any day of the year. A very happy early Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful moms in my life.