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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Unpaid, Personal Opinion — I was not paid or given any other compensation to write this review. We paid for our meal. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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I wanted to take John out for dinner and it was a toss up between barbecue and seafood. The one place where you can find both, within close walking distance, is Steveston village so we ended up at the Hog Shack Cook House. Located right on Bayview Street, the menu includes everything from Dinosaur Bones to grilled shrimp and pulled pork — although I heard through the Twitter grapevine that they serve up some killer burnt ends as well.
Sitting on the red and white checkered table when we arrived was the beer list. I should have known to expect an amazing selection as there was a CAMRA sticker on the front door when we walked in… but I didn’t expect this.
With a helpful guide to let you know how hoppy the brews are, well over two dozen craft beers were listed and sorted by category (lagers, stouts, IPAs and such). John immediately gravitated toward the most hop-filled beer he could find and once we posted where we were on Twitter, he received several other recommendations for his beer selection.
We both ordered the Smoke Lover’s combo off the menu that came with brisket, pulled pork, Texas toast, and your choice of two sides. Sides ranged from coleslaw and fries to mashed potatoes and rice pilaf. I went slightly less traditional and got steamed veggies and potato wedges. John opted for baked beans and cornbread. He told me he wanted to compare the cornbread to Jimmy Jack’s, where we ate last month in Iowa City.
The meal arrived very quickly and didn’t disappoint. My vegetables were crisp and fresh, and John said his baked beans were pretty stellar. The brisket and pulled pork were both tender and full of flavour. I dipped my potato wedges in some of the sauce that was on the table (not sure if I was supposed to) but that was pretty darn tasty as well. My portion was almost too much for me but I finished it all up save for one piece of Texas toast.
We were very happy to finally get to the Hog Shack especially after hearing so much about it on Twitter. John knows his barbecue, having grown up in the Midwest and spent plenty of time in Kansas City, and he gave it his stamp of approval. Our bill came to $49 with HST, which isn’t too shabby for two beers and overflowing platters. The icing on the cake was the spectacular Steveston sunset over the river.
The First Weekend Club has recently taken on a mission to create a Video on Demand (“VOD”) service that will host Canadian films.
Did you know that in 2010, so few people went to see Canadian films that only 3.4% of the total national box office went to Canadian films (83% went to US films and 8% went to other foreign films).
Founded in 2003, the club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and raising awareness for great Canadian films. The goal is to create a buzz during the crucial first weekend of the film’s box office release.
You can join a First Weekend Club in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Victoria, Ottawa, Halifax, Montreal, and they hope to expand to other cities across the country in the future. I’ve been to several screenings in Vancouver and they are much more of a community event than a simple film screening – the band they had in to play after Global Metal knocked our socks off.
Supporting Canadian Film and giving it the legs to last in theatres is what the First Weekend Club does best but this new venture will help them grow audiences even more for homegrown productions. They have a goal of $20,000 to get the VOD service up and running and have launched a campaign/fundraising site.
I highly recommend attending a First Weekend Club screening in Vancouver (films and events are all listed on their website) and consider donating to help get their project up and running. Follow @1stWeekendClub on Twitter or Facebook to learn more.
The Stanley Park Ecology Society is hosting a special event during their Annual General Meeting next week. They’re inviting their members and the public to sit in on a presentation from Lyle Dick, Parks Canada Historian. The talk will be about the evolution of Stanley Park as a National Historic Site (designated in 1988) along with its historical and cultural significance within the region.
1900s – Cedar walk with a dugout canoe. Archives item# CVA 677-986. Photographer: Philip Timms.
1900s – Totem figure by a tree. VPL Accession Number: 6689. Photographer: Philip Timms.
1900 – The road into Stanley Park. Archives item# CVA 677-180.1.
The Stanley Park Ecology Society will meet in the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion Ballroom from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Admission is $10 or free if you’re a society member. RSVP by phone (604) 718-6523 or email.
The Canucks For Kids Fund benefited immediately from this contract as PepsiCo Canada donated $10,000 to the cause along with a pair of Canucks home game tickets to the Canucks Centre for BC Hockey.
To celebrate this partnership, I have been given a giant prize basket to give away to one of my readers, perfect for a night of watching the Canucks from the comfort of your living room. The basket includes: A supply of Lay’s Potato Chips, Lay’s/Canucks branded t-shirt, Lay’s/Canucks branded hat, Vancouver Canucks Coasters, Lay’s hockey puck, Pepsi branded t-shirt, Pepsi branded drinking cup, Pepsi branded hand clapper.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment naming your favourite game-time snack (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I entered to win a @PepsiCanada #Canucks prize basket from @Miss604 http://bit.ly/oHuk6T
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Friday, October 21, 2011. I will be personally delivering the prize to the winner since I would have no idea how to mail it out – it’s just that big.
The Parade of Lost Souls Festival starts tomorrow and will feature workshops, a dance party, and the popular souls walk later this month.
Workshops
Get Behind the Scenes: Open-Door Lost Souls Studio.
Lend a helping hand in creating decorations for the Secret Souls Walk route
Tuesday, October 18, 5:00pm to 9:00pm
at the Public Dreams Workshop, 141-2050 Scotia St
Topsy Turvy: Whimsical Group Choreography
Sunday, October 23, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
at the Brittania Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street
Let’s Party Like its 1889: Victorian Zombie Thriller
Thursday, October 20 & Tuesday October 25 7:00pm to 9:00pm
at the Brittania Community Centre
Let’s Get Crafty: The Community Creation Lab
Saturday, October 22, 12:00pm to 5:00pm & Sunday, October 23, 12:00pm to 3:00pm
at the Brittania Community Centre
A Flock of Stilting Birds
Join a flock of stilting birds for the Secret Souls Walk
Saturday, October 22, 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Public Dreams Workshop
Marionette Play
Saturday, October 22, 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Public Dreams Workshop
Happening Saturday, Ocotober 29 from 9:00pm to 2:00am they’re calling it “the” Halloween party of the city. The Dance Party will have costumes, artists, fire performances, and live music from DJs Timothy Wisdom, Rico Uno, Cherchez La Femme, and MY!GAY!HUSBAND! will be at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver BC
Tickets: $20 in advance (online) and $25 at the door. Must be 19 years of age or older to attend. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe ride home. All proceeds go towards the Parade of Lost Souls Festival and Public Dreams community programs and events.
Secret Souls Walk
This is the big event many have been waiting for but Public Dreams isn’t going to tell you where the Secret Souls Walk is happening until the last minute. If you’re following them on Twitter or Facebook they’ll make the announcement on the day of the Secret Souls Walk, Saturday, October 29, 2011. The walk will then take place from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
All of these events and more are presented by Public Dreams who promotes community participation in the arts by providing interactive and accessible public art programming.
