This Week in Vancouver History

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

While researching this week’s history post it dawned on me that I could profile significant events that happened each day this week in Vancouver’s past. Here’s a glimpse at what was taking place in our city at this time of year, throughout the last century.

December 20, 1911
Frank and Lester Patrick opened the Denman Arena (where Devonian Harbour Park is today in Coal Harbour). At that time it was the largest indoor artificial ice rink in the world. It was also the home of the Vancouver Millionaires, who won our city’s first (and only) Stanley Cup.


1929 – Denman Arena from the Vancouver Rowing Club in Stanley Park. Archives Item# CVA 99-2080

December 21, 1894
Construction began on St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. In the years to follow, it would become a continental leader in healthcare. It was the first hospital to have its own x-ray machine in 1906 and is a renowned for its work in the areas of heart disease, kidney disease, nutritional disorders, HIV/AIDS and the care of the disadvantaged.


1898 – St Paul’s on Burrard. Archives Item #Bu N426

December 22, 1956
A French adventurer completed a swim of the Fraser River from Prince George to New Westminster’s Pattullo Bridge on this December day. A fellow named Fin Donnelly would do the same thing in 1995.

December 23, 1860
English-born Captain George Henry Richards began a survey of the BC coast and Burrard Inlet. Richards Street downtown is named after him.

December 24, 1951
Yvonne de Carlo visited her home town of Vancouver after being dubbed the “most beautiful woman in the world” that year. Aside from her silver screen roles, she was also Lily Munster in the classic TV series.

December 25, 1932
Greater Vancouverites listen to the first Christmas radio message from the sovereign as George V speaks from Sandringham.

Every date listed here was researched, found, and compiled by Chuck Davis. Although we lost Chuck late in 2010, you can help his work live on by visiting the Vancouver History website. The hopes are that his book, The History of Metropolitan Vancouver will be released in 2011, for Vancouver’s 125th anniversary.

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival 2010

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 17th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival returns to six Vancouver neighbourhoods tomorrow as we sail into a new season.

On Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 from 6:00pm until 10:00pm you can join an event on the East Side at homes on Parker & Lakewood or the Britannia Community Centre, in Yaletown at the Roundhouse Community Centre, on Granville Island at the False Creek Community Centre, in South East False Creek at the Creekside Community Centre, and in Chinatown at the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Each gathering will have a lantern procession, activities (such as crafts and lantern making), storytelling, and musical entertainment.

I heard last week that the events were still in need of volunteers so contact the Secret Lantern Society today if you can help out tomorrow at any one of these neighbourhood locations.

Cranberries Spa on Robson

Comments 7 by Rebecca Bollwitt

My good friend Keira recently turned the big “3-0” and to celebrate I joined her for a brunch followed by a manicure and pedicure at Cranberries Spa on Robson. Truth be told, I first heard about Spa on Twitter so I was curious to see what the experience would be like.


Photo © Snap Weddings

In the last year alone I’ve probably had four pedicures and each is always different. Some focus on massage and relaxation, while others are quick and to the point (making your nails sparkle and feet smooth as silk). Cranberries is a combination of two. While it looks like a typical nail bar decked out in pink with lustrous nail polish shades lining its glass shelves, it was an upbeat and friendly environment. Sitting on the bench it was a social atmosphere as we chatted with our nail techs while Christmas music played over the soundsystem.

Cranberries Spa
Cranberries Spa Cranberries Spa
Cranberries Spa Cranberries Spa

Feet were soaked, scrubbed and filed then the polish I selected was applied with care. After the pedicure, we sat down for manicures as we looked out at the Library on Robson Street.


Photo © Snap Weddings

People watching, chit-chatting, sipping a peppermint mocha, and having a good time while being filed and polished again. In and out within about 90 minutes, it became clear that Cranberries is the place to go when you are on-the-go but still want care, quality, and attention to details. There’s no wonder why it’s been Keira’s favourite nail bar for quite a while now.

Disclosure: I paid full price (about $90) for my treatments. Keira’s were complimentary.

Breakfast with Santa at Canada Place 2010

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

As a sponsor of Christmas at Canada Place, John and I are on-site to check out and cover the entertainment and activities happening at this morning’s Breakfast with Santa.

Breakfast with Santa 2010

Now in its 23rd year, Breakfast with Santa happens on a Saturday and Sunday morning just before Christmas and is complete with a delicious breakfast followed by opportunities for the little ones to visit with the jolly old elf.

Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010

This morning under the sails, the conference centre looks beautiful, decked out in red and white as hundreds of families pour through the doors, greeted by mascots and stilt walkers.

Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010

Proceeds from the event benefit the Strathcona Community Centre’s Food Security for Children Program, so it’s fantastic to see ticket-holders flooding in.

Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010

The program is about to get started but we’ll have photos and updates posted later today. Breakfast with Santa also takes place tomorrow morning, in the same location.

Breakfast with Santa 2010 Breakfast with Santa 2010

Post Event Update Santa offered up a welcome message then Bobs and Lolo took to the stage. Soon enough, one of their famous ‘kid mosh pits’ began to form.

Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010

Dozens of children danced, hopped, and sang along with new and familiar tunes. Music with Marni was the next act, bringing a full band to the stage.

Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010

The breakfast buffet itself was impressive with fruit, waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, turkey sausage, whole grain muffins, and chocolate croissants.

Breakfast with Santa 2010 Breakfast with Santa 2010
Breakfast with Santa 2010 Breakfast with Santa 2010

Santa took a seat in the corner as families lined up to get photos and tell him what they wanted to find in their stockings next week.

Breakfast with Santa 2010 Breakfast with Santa 2010

The event was a great success and the convention centre was alive with holiday cheer. There is one more breakfast tomorrow until the event wraps for another year. If you’re attending, be sure to purchase a raffle ticket for $2. Proceeds benefit the Strathcona Community Centre and you could win a trip to Jamaica.

Miss604.com is proud to sponsor Christmas at Canada Place once again this year including the Woodward’s Windows and Breakfast with Santa. Read more about the Strathcona Community Centre’s programs here.

Top Vancouver Videos of 2010

Comments 12 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s the time when “year in review” posts and lists start popping up all forms of media; from the Best Viral Videos of 2010 to the Top 10 Most Powerful Tweets of 2010. I thought it would be interesting to search YouTube to see if I could come up with the Top 5 Vancouver Videos of 2010 and this is what I found:

Vancouver City Time Lapse

You Gotta be Here

Miniature Vancouver

Dear Vancouver

Canada Wins Hockey Gold

While some of these do not have the most views (aside from the time lapse with 1.2 million) they captured Vancouver this year and shared some of its different aspects with the world. If you have a favourite Vancouver-themed video of 2010, feel free to drop a link in the comments.