Last September, Foursquare launched in Vancouver. This location-based social network allows users to “check-in” to the places and businesses they frequent, with applications available for iPhone and Blackberry.
If you “check-in” more than anyone else to a certain location and you could become its “Mayor”. The concept is to inform your friends while also collecting virtual badges and hopefully taking advantage of specials offered specifically to a Foursquare audience.
From the business perspective, it’s a great way to reward loyal customers. For example, if you become the Mayor of any Starbucks location in America, they will reward you with a discount deal, which will be displayed on your screen.
Locally, I knew of V at Earls in Yaletown having an offer, as well as Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar. However, I decided to do a little search (and consult the likes of Chris Breikss) to put together a compilation of Mayor deals in Vancouver, available through Foursquare.
Earls in Yaletown
Foursquare Deal
Complimentary round of Albino Rhino pints for the Mayor and up to three friends
V at Earls in Yaletown
Foursquare Deal
Free round of cocktails for the Mayor and up to three friends
Vancouver Police Museum
Foursquare Deal
Show staff you’ve checked in to the Police Museum and the Mayor will receive a 25% discount in the gift shop, plus free admission for themselves and a guest
One Saigon
Foursquare Deal
30% off all food between 3pm-5pm when you check-in on Foursquare
Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar
Foursquare Deal
Check-in at Rogue then email your server’s name & your favourite dish to receive a gift card for a complimentary cocktail during your next visit
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Foursquare Deal
Check-in on Foursquare and get a free fountain pop every 3rd visit
Ceili’s Irish Pub
Foursquare Deal
Choice of pint on Ceilis for the Mayor at any time, any day
The Mill Marine Bistro & Bar
Foursquare Deal
Mayor receives a free beer
Capones Restaurant
Foursquare Deal
For every 5th check-in, receive a free Ketel One martini for you and a friend
Invoke
Foursquare Deal:
Half price websites every 3rd check-in
The idea of virtual badges and letting your contacts know where you are (all the time) might sound silly but for those who do have favourite coffee spots, libraries, live music venues or pubs, the app-based loyalty program can have its rewards.
It’s free to sign-up for Foursquare and to download the app that suits your mobile device. If you are a business owner you can sign-up to offer a deal by “claiming” your business on Foursquare. Who knows, someone might already be the Mayor of your establishment.
If you know of any other deals that I can add to the list, please feel free to leave a note in the comments.
The 2nd annual Wild BC Seafood Fest will take place in Steveston (Richmond) August 28th.
The festival will celebrate wild BC salmon, sablefish and sardines while offering demos, activities for kids, samples and more.
Demonstrations hosted by Kosta Zogaris will feature top chefs Hidekazu Tojo (Owner & Executive Chef, Tojo’s Restaurant), Neil Taylor (Executive Chef, Cibo Trattoria), Stephen Wong (Cookbook Author & Journalist).
You can also get free recipes for preparing seafood, shop off the docks for fresh salmon, sablefish and sardines, explore the expanded market area, and enjoy live entertainment from Darren Specht & the Blues-hawks.
This one-day event is free to the public and will run from 11:00am until 4:00pm at the Steveston Harbour Authority Fisherman’s Park (Moncton & 3rd Avenue, in front of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site).
Follow @BCSeafoodFest on Twitter for news and updates about the Seafood Fest.
The 100th Anniversary PNE Parade will stroll through English Bay August 20th.
Starting from Stanley Park and making its way to Sunset Beach, the parade will celebrate the grand opening of the PNE’s 100th year which will take place the following morning.
The procession will feature giant balloons (think Macy’s Thanksgiving parade) and more than 2000 performers, paying tribute to 10 decades of fair history.
1935 – Archives item# CVA 99 – 3160. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
The PNE started out as the Industrial Exhibition then changed to the Canadian Pacific Exhibition and eventually the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). Playland came along a few years later and was first called “Happyland”.
1935 – Archives item# CVA 99 – 3158. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1935 – Archives item# CVA 99 – 3157. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1939 – Archives item# CVA 99-2986. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1939 – Archives item# CVA 99-2979. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
The 100th Anniversary PNE Parade is of course free to watch and will run from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, Friday August 20th.
Follow @PNE_Playland on Twitter for news and updates throughout the season.
Update August 20, 2010: Translink confirmed in a tweet that the C-21 community shuttle will be re-routed tonight from 6:00pm until 9:00pm to get around the parade.
The Abbotsford International Airshow is summer staple in Southwest BC and it returns today through Sunday at the Abbotsford Airport.
In the Air
Catch the following teams, performers, and shows up in the sky: CAF Snowbirds, USAF Heritage Flight, US Navy Legacy Flight, Avro Lancaster, B-25 Mitchell, de Havilland DH 82C Tiger Moth and many more.
On the ground
Dozens of aircraft will be on static display including: C-130 Hercules (USAF), CC-150 Polaris, C-21 Lear Jet, CH-149 Cormorant and more.
Tickets
General admission tickets for adults are $30 (parking is included) with children $12 (5 years and younger are free). A car-load of up to 8 people is $100. VIP President’s Club or Executive tickets start at $125 – $165, and camping packages start at $25 for a single night.
There will be some road closures around the Abbotsford Airport so check the website and plan your driving route accordingly. ATMs are available in case you want to get some cash out for some concession items and be sure to bring a) a lawn chair or blanket b) sunscreen and a hat.
Follow @AbbyAirshow on Twitter for news and updates throughout the weekend.
Yesterday I received a lovely bouquet of flowers that instantly transformed my workspace, which is filled with cables, wires, and computer screens.
Sometimes the smallest gesture can really brighten up a space, place, or someone’s entire day. As such, I thought I would send you all some flowers by way of images that have been added to the Miss604 group on Flickr.
Photo credit:
Tawcan on Flickr
In case you would like to get a little closer to flowers (and preferably real ones, not the virtual kind) here are a few suggestions for flower-spotting in Vancouver:
VanDusen Gardens
UBC Botanical Gardens
Bloedel Floral Conservatory
Stanley Park Rose Garden
Barclay Heritage Square
… and a little further out of town, Minter Gardens
![[23/365] Refreshing](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4623205625_578b5cf7f0.jpg)
![[13/365] Humble Confidence](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/4598037213_3cc665253b.jpg)
