As a part of the 2nd Annual Granville Island Public Market Food Bank Drive the Granville Island Day Vendors Association (GIDVA) will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash in the Public Market on behalf of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society until January 9, 2011.
The wish-list for food items includes: canned meat/fish, peanut butter, bags of whole wheat pasta/rice, pasta sauce, canned fruit/vegetables, cereal, baby formula, and baby food. Cash donations will be used by the Food Bank to purchase perishable items such as eggs, vegetables, fruits, milk, baby products, chickens and Christmas turkeys.
“Sadly, up to 25‚000 people throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore rely on our help each week. Up to 40% are children. They’re the working poor, single parents, new immigrants, or the elderly on fixed incomes. They’re your neighbours. They struggle to pay the rent, heat their homes, pay for school supplies, and put enough food on the table. They all deserve to have a good Christmas. But they urgently need your help.”
Cheryl Carline (Prepchuk), CEO, GVFBS
Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s top shopping destinations, loved by locals and visitors alike. It’s a great place to pick up a unique Christmas gift (anything from crafted sake to jewellery or kayaking gift certificates). While you’re there this season, please consider dropping off a donation at one of the Day Vendor locations to help make someone else’s holidays bright.
It’s time to bust out your knitted reindeer pullover (with sequined Rudolph nose) for the Ugly Sweater Tweetup happening this week.
The tweetup will take place at the Robson Square Ice Rink (under Robson between Hornby and Howe) on Wednesday, December 15th from 4:30pm until 6:00pm. Be sure to bring your sweater, a mug (for some free Starbucks coffee), your skates (skating is free but skate rental is $2), and your mobile so you can post updates and watch your tweets @DowntownVan show up on the big screen.
Tweetups (Twitter-Meetups) are in-person gatherings of people who interact on Twitter. It’s a chance to get out from behind the computer screen and connect while participating in a fun activity. Presented by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, you can RSVP online for this free event and follow updates on Wednesday by searching for the tag #DowntownSweater.
Last month Keira and I were guests of the Magnolia Hotel in Victoria, which was my first stay a hotel right in the city’s inner harbour. After driving from Nanaimo along a snowy Malahat Highway we were greeted at the curb with a smile and promptly checked into our room. The lobby was warm with the aroma of hot apple cider as guests lounged in front of the fireplace.
Our room was very large for a boutique hotel with plenty of room for two girls and their luggage, two queen beds, a deep bathtub to accomodate Keira’s evening wind-down soak, bath bombs, Aveda care products, mini-bar with sink and mirror, desk, and sitting area with wine and cheese waiting for us upon arrival. Directly behind the Fairmont Empress, our view of the legislature buildings and the harbour was spectacular as lights twinkled and the snow fell gently on the capital city.
In the morning we had enjoyed facials in the Spa Magnolia downstairs and then we shopped til we dropped.
Everything we needed was within walking distance of the Magnolia — from the Royal BC Museum and Rogers Chocolates to the Bay Centre. Our Victoria trip was packed full of activities as we walked over to the Empress for Afternoon Tea, and did a tea tasting at Silk Road before enjoying a satisfying dinner at Prime Steakhouse on the main floor of the hotel. In true steak-house fashion the cuts of meat were grilled to perfection with ample side dishes to compliment the meal.
I’ve stayed at only three other hotels in Victoria and each have their merits. What I liked about the Magnolia was definitely its location and its very warm atmosphere. Although there was a grand piano in the luxuriously furnished lobby, it lacked pretentiousness and was very welcoming. There is great value to be had at the hotel (with rooms starting at around $160 this season) along with a really nice touch of class and comfort. To top it off, the staff was friendly and accommodating, making for a very relaxing stay.
The Magnolia Hotel is located at 623 Courtney Street in the heart of Victoria. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook for special offers and hotel news. If you’re heading over this winter, Keira has posted a list of regional Christmas activities.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2
Update 2011: You can still sponsor a family in Surrey, I am unsure about Vancouver programs this year.
Update 2015: Here is the latest information about sponsoring a family in Surrey this year.
With the anticipation of presents under the tree and bountiful holiday meals around the table with family, this time of year can actually be very stressful. Aside from trying to find parking at the local mall, some carry the burden of not being able to afford groceries, let alone the gift their child may have at the top of their wish list. Making ends meet to cover very basic needs can be a struggle and every family deserves some special cheer this Christmas.
There are two ‘adopt-a-family’ programs in town for 2010 where you can sign up, pair with a family, and deliver their wish list (from a turkey for dinner to stocking stuffers for the kids).
YWCA
The YWCA Vancouver is partnering with families in their program this year. If you’re able to pair up, you’ll receive their “wish list” so that you can complete a holiday hamper. 50 families are in need of hampers by December 17th. You can sign up for the program online today. You can also donate a lump sum and YWCA volunteers will do the shopping for you.
Salvation Army
Through the Salvation Army Vancouver Community & Family Services, you can help create a special Christmas for a Vancouver family in need by providing a Christmas hamper. You can get group together to complete a hamper, including items such as groceries for a turkey dinner as well as gifts for children and parents. You can download a sponsorship package online to get started. A full list of suggested hamper items can be downloaded as well.
Should you know of any other initiatives like these, please feel free to drop a note in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.
I’ve been ending every day here in Mexico with a walk on the beach with John. Yesterday we brought out our cameras and wandered just about 200 meters off the resort’s beach to adjacent rocky shores. Chasing the sunset, we captured the incoming tide, fossilized imprints, and some unexpected castaways.
Located on the Eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Quintana Roo region along the Caribbean Sea our resort is a part of the Bahia Principe Ecological Foundation that protects (as best it can) the surrounding swamps, rain forests, and coral reefs. We don’t have miles of sandy beaches as some waterfront areas are separated by rock walls or man-made breakers to protect the reefs. Any garbage that comes ashore here is (I assume) promptly swept up and disposed of. Unfortunately just off the resort, there are no workers or volunteers to clean up what might wash ashore.
It was rather depressing to find so much junk during our quick stroll but it was a small dose of reality. Within sight of our villas we were hopscotching over flippers, shoes, drink containers, a doll’s arm, an asthma inhaler, and motor oil bottles.
Back at the Gran Bahia Principe the ground is raked and the trees are pruned. Dump trucks beep as they back up and deliver piles of white sand to cover coarse white stones.
This morning I lay comfortably under palm branches listening to the white-capped waves crash and turn to foam — and I couldn’t help but imagine the handful of trash each one must carry… and where it may have started its journey.
All photos are available on Flickr in John’s set or my own.
