Although Vancouver is young compared to most other North American cities, it has a heritage all of its own. From First Nations culture, to the Great Fire, and the 2010 Olympics, people have recorded, photographed, and preserved this legacy.
One of the most important institutions for doing such work is the City of Vancouver Archives. Founded by Vancouver’s first City Archivist, Major J.S. Matthews, it has a priceless collection of artifacts and photographs from Vancouver and around BC.
After a personal tour of the vaults and files in the summer of 2009, I ramped up my history coverage by including many historic photos from the Archives.
The Archives are currently looking for ways to boost funding, and have been successful in the past thanks to the Friends of the Vancouver City Archives. The Friends have raised funds to help collect, save and preserve rare and vital objects of our cities past. This month, they will be hosting an event, and all are invited to take part.
What “Researching Women in the Archives & in the Family”. An illustrated talk by M. Diane Rogers, President of the BC Genealogical Society. Explore researching strategies, techniques and learn how to interpret archival photographs.
When Sunday November 14th, 2010 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Where Vancouver City Archives at 1150 Chestnut Street in Vanier Park
Tickets are $25 and include a catered reception. Register by November 9th by calling (604) 736-8561.
Follow @VanArchives on Twitter for events and special features and stop by the Archives in person anytime. You can skim through their binders of archival photographs and get prints made for a very reasonable fee.
Day of the Dead or DÃa de los Muertos is a popular holiday in Mexico that is often celebrated in the United States and Canada — and Vancouver is no exception. This event, usually taking place November 2nd, brings together family members and friends to honor the memories of their loved ones who have passed. While it is a time of reflection, it is known for its elaborate shrines, altars, and costumes featuring skulls, skeletons, and other ghoulish imagery.
In Vancouver, the Day of the Dead will be celebrated in a few ways:
Day of the Dead
When October 30th, 2010 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Where Chicas Restaurant, 8722 Granville St.
Info Suggested donation for attendees is $5-$20 with partial proceeds sent to Dulce Camino, a children orphanage in Jalisco State; and Caritas Emergencies, to support the victims of the Hurricanes in the South of Mexico. [Event Link]
Parade of Lost Souls, Secret Walk
When October 30th, 2010 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Where East Vancouver, exact location to be announced (hence it being a Secret walk).
Info Check online to see where the walk will take place. This is an intimate version of the Parade of Lost Souls which was shelved this year due to funding cuts. Organizers have assured that Commercial Drive will not be closed for this community event. [Event Link]
Should you know of any other Day of the Dead event listings, please feel free to leave a note in the comments.
Dine Out is one of the most highly-anticipated events in Vancouver as it gives locals and visitors alike the chance to sample menus from their favourite restaurants or those they have always wanted to try. Its popularity is also due to the prix-fixe menus available at participating locations including 3-course meals for $18, $28, or $38.
Gearing up for the 2011 campaign, running January 24th until February 6th, Tourism Vancouver will be releasing the menus in advance of the official January 10th launch date to Twitter followers on their account, @MyVancouver.
The menus from dozens of local restaurants will be posted and as usual, they also include suggested wine pairings (which are always spot on in my books). Last year I had dinner at Glowbal Grill as well as r.tl in Yaletown.
Tourism Vancouver will provide additional information through the official Dine Out Vancouver website as well as their Facebook page. However, menus will only be released early via their Twitter account.
Update January 5, 2011 The menus have been release via @MyVancouver on Twitter. You can find them here and start planning your night out at a new restaurant or an old favourite.
Disclosure: cmp/ly/3
When John and I covered the Western Canadian Music Awards in Kelowna last weekend, we were guests of the Delta Grand Okanagan.
The Grand is the largest conference centre and resort hotel in the Okanagan and was recently voted Best Resort/Hotel in the Okanagan by readers of the Georgia Straight in the 2010 “Best of Vancouver” issue. My only previous experience at a Kelowna hotel was during a road trip with John in 2006 (where we stayed at the Best Western) and during a rugby tournament when I was in high school (where we stayed at a motel in Rutland) — needless to say this was definitely a treat.
Upon arriving at The Delta Grand you’ll immediately notice its proximity to Prospera Place, home of the WHL Kelowna Rockets and live concerts with big-name acts who pass through the region. Located within walking distance of downtown shops and eateries, it’s also in the heart of the cultural district. The Center for the Arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre, and the Kelowna Art Gallery are just around the corner.
Our room was in the Royal Private Residences section of the resort, past the main building, lobby, and casino. These suites are purchased privately and then rented out by the hotel (as they do with vacation properties in Whistler or on the Sunshine Coast). Our 3-bedroom well-exceeded our needs but it was great to see what they offered aside from the standard hotel room.
The resort is located right alongside Lake Okanagan and features a lagoon, suited for peddle boats and lovely wedding backdrops. Joggers run along the lakeside pathway that also connects the resort to restaurants and amenities on its way to the downtown core. Conference and banquet facilities also compliment a giant fitness centre nestled beside the Spa at the Grand.
We were impressed with the dining options at the Grand, especially when we ducked into the late night lounge for some margherita flatbread after the awards ceremony. The following day we had lunch in the Grand Bay Cafe where we were treated to a fruit-topped salad, basil pea soup, and the sandwich of our choice. The pea soup was one of the best I’ve had.
As has always been my experience with Delta (being most familiar with the Ocean Pointe in Victoria) they staff was incredibly friendly and helpful at all times. They also cater to families and activities either inside the hotel or out in the community. In Victoria I know they used to have storytime in their lobby that saw sleepy children in their pajamas come down to enjoy a bedtime tale and glass of milk before dozing off. At the Grand, you can sign up for a wine tour or float plane tour in the lobby or have a family bingo night.
Heading into ski season, you can find rooms online for about $139 a night. Although we only spent one night at the resort, it got me thinking about returning for industry events or conferences, or even to catch a Rockets game.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2
The British Columbia chapter of Safe Harbour: Respect for All is hosting a special breakfast on Tuesday November 2nd. I was recently invited and will be unable to attend however I thought the information would be worth sharing.
You may have seen the Safe Harbour stickers on storefronts or the windows of businesses around town which means that employees of the company are helping to create a safer, more welcoming community that supports diversity and rejects discrimination. These workplaces have been armed with education and knowledge to help individuals better understand their diverse workforce and improve their service to diverse customers and clients.
Canada Safeway, RONA, TD Canada Trust, the Royal Bank, Vancity, London Drugs, the City of Burnaby, Surrey Board of Trade, Service Canada, the YMCA, the Brain Injury Society, and the David Suzuki Foundation are examples of Safe Harbour-certified establishments.
On Tuesday morning, the breakfast will honor one Safe Harbour partner with a special award. It will also be an opportunity to network with business owners, immigrant service providers, municipal and provincial leaders and others who are keen on working together on these initiatives.
The event will take place at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre (7311 Westminster Highway, Richmond) from 7:00am – 9:00am. Tickets are available for $35 and include breakfast along with a keynote address from Edmond C Luke, Chair of the Multicultural Advisory Council of BC.
A group table can be purchased for $300 (for 10 people). Contact Alison Scott, Officer Coordinator, AMSSA at (604) 718-2778 or amssa[at]amssa.org to book your spot. You can follow @SafeHarbourCDN on Twitter for updates about future events.
