Gingerbread Creations Competition & Marketplace 2010

Comments 6 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 2010 Gingerbread Creations Competition & Marketplace is coming up next week (November 12th and 13th) at the Vancouver Hellenic Centre. This annual event features over 70 boutiques offering unique, handmade items from local vendors as well as gingerbread creations (not limited to houses).

Gingerbread
Photo credit: Stuck in Customs on Flickr

I’m fortunate enough to be a judge of the gingerbread competition that will take place on the first day. If you think you have what it takes to create a gingerbread masterpiece, you can download an entry form online. There are over $1,000 in cash and prizes to be won and the deadline for entries is November 8th.

Admission to the marketplace and gingerbread competition is $2 with all proceeds benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Tickets are available at the door and exhibition space is still available for vendors.

November 2010 Vancouver Events

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Mini-chocolate bar displays from Halloween are being replaced with pyramids of ornaments as Christmas season rolls in. Fallen leaves, crisp from morning frost, crunch under foot as white puffs of breath trail behind you like steam from a locomotive. November is here.

Sunrise Mist
Photo credit: Chris Murray Photo on Flickr

Better late than never, I have compiled my monthly event listings based on emails I have received from readers. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Touring the Thompson Okanagan: Wine – Quail’s Gate Winery & Tantalus Vineyards

Comments 2 by John Biehler

The following was experienced and contributed by John Biehler exclusively for Miss604.com. Last week John was a guest of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) to experience the region and see what the area has to offer.

Along with beer, we also visited a number of wineries on our Thompson Okanagan tour, for which this region is world-renowned.

Our first stop was Quail’s Gate Winery in West Kelowna. Situated with a stunning view of Okanagan Lake, we started off with lunch at the Old Vines Restaurant which is on the vineyard property.

Quail's Gate Winery

Quail's Gate Winery

After lunch, a few of us wondered around the vineyard which is just outside the doors of the restaurant. It was a special treat to see grapes on the vines as I normally visit Kelowna in the summer time when the vines are empty.

Quail's Gate Winery

We then headed to the tasting room to sample some of the many wines that are produced onsite.

Quail's Gate Winery

Being relatively new to wine (I’m a beer guy, remember?) it was interesting to hear from the staff the process that goes into producing the wine and differences between the various types of wine. I learned quite a lot just from this one stop.

Quail's Gate Winery

Our next stop was the Tantalus Vineyards which, like Quail’s Gate has a picturesque view of the lake, mountains and surrounding vineyard.

Tantalus Vineyards

Their newly opened 13,000 square foot winery felt more like a hip Yaletown lounge than a more traditional winery.

Tantalus Vineyards

Heading to the back of the winery found us up close to the vats of grape juice from the recently pressed grapes.

Tantalus Vineyards

Tantalus Vineyards

As with Quail’s Gate, I was fascinated by the process that goes into wine making.

Tantalus Vineyards

Tantalus Vineyards

Getting to tour the facility and talk with David Paterson, Tantalus’ passionate winemaker, made it all that much more interesting to me.

Tantalus Vineyards

Stay tuned for the next dispatch from the Thompson Okanagan tour featuring food later this week.

Related posts from this trip: Kelowna’s Hotel Eldorado, Kamloops BC Wildlife Park, Beer: Tree Brewing, Noble Pig, Frick and Frack

John is an avid photographer, gadget geek and traveller. You can find him on Twitter and at johnbiehler.com where he discusses photography and all sorts of technology. All photos in this post were taken by John.

Disclosure: Activities, services and dining experiences during the trip were compliments of Thompson-Okanagan Tourism.

BCAA Booster Guy or Gal Vote Now & Be Entered to Win Canucks Tickets

Comments 71 by Rebecca Bollwitt

BCAA BoosterI have been helping to promote the search for the BCAA Booster Guy or Gal over the last few weeks and the campaign is now heading into its second stage.

Entries have been narrowed down and 6 finalists have been selected. However, before the judging panel (including myself) chooses the winner, we need to know who the fans like. You can view all finalists and vote by going to the BCAA Facebook fan page and ‘liking’ your favourite entry.

The winner will get to go to every Canuck’s home game to captain the BCAA Booster Zone from a prime lower bowl seat.

To get the momentum going, I have another pair of Canucks tickets to give away for this Saturday’s game when Bertuzzi and the Red Wings are in town.

Here’s how you can win these tickets:

  • Leave a comment on this post telling me who (and why) you voted for — all 6 finalists are listed on the Facebook page under the “Videos” tab — (1 entry)
  • Vote (‘Like’) your favourite BCAA Booster Guy or Gal candidate video & tweet text below (2 entries)
  • I’m entered to win tix to Sat’s #Canucks game from @miss604 by RT’ing this & liking my fave @bcaabooster fan vid http://fb.me/bcaafan

    I will draw one winner from all entries on Friday November 5th at 4:00pm. The winner will be notified by email (or Twitter direct message). Fan voting will end November 14th, 2010.

    Update The winner of the Canucks vs Red Wings tickets is Andrew – congratulations!

    Royal Canadian Mint on Granville

    Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    Due to the overwhelming response to the Royal Canadian Mint‘s presence at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, they have returned to Vancouver with a pop-up shop open from November 4th until February 13th, 2011.

    Royal Canadian Mint - Line up

    To promote the many events, coin exchanges, and displays that they will feature in the shop, the Mint is hosting a tweetup at 12:00pm tomorrow, Thursday November 4th. Check out this year’s poppy coins and get (rumour has it) that you can get another look at the Vancouver 2010 medals.

    What A Mint Tweetup/Meetup to check out the West Coast facility
    Where 752 Granville (between Robson and Georgia)
    When 12:00pm for the Tweetup/Meetup on November 4th.

    The whole shop will be open daily Monday to Sunday, and from 10:00am tomorrow.

    Royal Canadian Mint Pop-Up Shop on Granville

    Royal Canadian Mint Pop-Up Shop on Granville Royal Canadian Mint Pop-Up Shop on Granville

    Royal Canadian Mint Pop-Up Shop on Granville

    Follow @CanadianMint on Twitter for more updates and stay tuned for announcements and exclusive giveaways on Miss604.com throughout the Mint’s run in Vancouver.

    Update The Olympic and Paralympic medals will be coming to the Mint on Granville at the end of November.

    Friday, November 26, 2010: 10:30am to 8:00pm
    Saturday, November 27, 2010: 9:30am to 5:00pm
    Sunday, November 28, 2010: 10:30am to 4:00pm

    Admission is free but tickets are required as space is limited.