Apple Day 2010 at the Historic Stewart Farm

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Apple Day in Surrey won’t be in honor of iPads, iPods, and iMacs; rather, the one-day festival will celebrate the fall harvest September 25th at the Historic Stewart Farm.

Merridale Estate Cidery

Apple Day will include samples, cider press demonstrations, orchard tours, honey tastings, and more. Suggested admission (as it is by donation) is $5 for adults, $3.75 for students, $2.50 for children and students, and kids 5 and under are free.

The Historic Stewart Farm is right along Crescent Road in Surrey (on your way to Crescent Beach from the highway). It dates back to 1890 and features a furnished farmhouse, pole barn with agricultural tools and machinery, boathouse, threshing shed, root cellar, and heritage gardens and orchard. Staff and volunteers in Victorian costume provide tours of the house & grounds.

If you haven’t taken the family to the Stewart Farm, I’d say Apple Day would be a great time to check it out.

Terry Fox Run Locations for 2010

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s been 30 years since Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope changed Canada, and the world, forever.


Terry Fox feature on ESPN a few years ago

In 1976 a boy living in Port Coquitlam, BC was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that develops near the knee. His leg would be amputated and he would learn to walk (and run) once again. Through his 16-month experience with chemotherapy and rehabilitation he learned about cancer research and saw others lose their battles with the disease. This brought him a determination to do pretty much anything in his power to help others fight their own battles with cancer, so he thought up the Marathon of Hope. He was going to run from East to West across Canada to raise funds for cancer research.

On April 2nd 1980, Terry Fox dipped his foot in the Atlantic Ocean at St. John’s, Newfoundland and began his run across Canada. His amazing journey came to an end after 5,373 kms, in Thunder Bay, Ontario when he experienced more health troubles. The cancer had returned, and it was in both lungs. Over the next few months the Marathon of Hope raised $23 million for cancer research. Terry passed away in June of 1981, at the age of 22. Since that time, over $500 million has been raised in his name.

The Terry Fox run takes place in dozens of countries around the world and here at home, there are numerous runs, celebrating and supporting the Marathon of Hope. This year’s Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday September 19th and here are just a few locations around the Lower Mainland where you can participate.

Stanley Park at Ceperley Meadow
Registration: 7:00am – 10:00am
Run Start: 10:00am

UBC at Camosun Park
Registration: 9:30am – 11:30am
Run Start: 10:00am – 11:30am

Burnaby at Swanguard Stadium
Registration: 9:00am
Run Start: Registration: 10:00am

North Vancouver at Inter River Park
Registration: 9:00am
Run Start: 10:00am
Coquitlam at Blue Mountain Park
Registration: 8:30am
Run Start: 10:00am

Richmond at Garry Point Park, Steveston
Registration: 9:00am
Run Start: 10:00am

Surrey – North at Fraser Heights Village
Registration: 9:00am
Run Start: 10:00am

New Westminster at Queen’s Park
Registration: 9:00am
Run Start: 10:00am



You can register ahead of time online in order to collect pledges and donations.

Each run varies in terms of length and whether it’s suitable for bikes, strollers, children, dogs, etc. The National School Run is Day is September 30th. Follow @TerryFoxCanada on Twitter for updates from the Terry Fox Foundation.

Sports Day at the Richmond Olympic Oval This Weekend

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Sports Day in Canada is this Saturday, September 18th and across the nation everyone is invited to participate in a community sporting event. The Canadian Paralympic Committee will be setting up shop at the Richmond Olympic Oval from 11:00am until 2:00pm in case you would like to come and try out some paralympic sports.

Bronze Medal Sledge Hockey 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games
Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Public can see what it’s like to play goalball, try various para-athletics, wheelchair basketball, and many other sports alongside Canada’s Paralympians at this free event. Paralympic athletes Alison Kabush, Andrea Holmes, Bo Hedges, Chris Daw, Darryl Neighbour, Lauren Woolstencroft, Lou Gibson, Marni Abbott-Peter, Richard Peter, and Sarah Hunter will be there to sign autographs and give demos.

I covered a few events at the Paralympics last March including many of the womens’ downhill events. The athleticism and dedication these Paralympians display is inspirational and quite simply, amazing.

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Photo credit: Glotman Simpson

The Richmond Olympic Oval is located at 6111 River Road in Richmond, BC. It would also be a great opportunity to check out this beautiful venue if you haven’t done so already.

Metro Vancouver Park Series: Renfrew Ravine

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Wanting to add a few parks to my series this fall, I sent out a Tweet yesterday asking for some recommendations. @JDLaidlaw responded, “@Miss604 Have you ever been out to Renfrew Ravine? Pretty awesome and they have a lantern festival coming up!” Having never ever heard of the Renfrew Ravine, I thought it would be worth researching and profiling today.

How to Get There
While technically not a “park” (and not recognized on the Parks Board website) the Renfrew Ravine is classified as a greenway, by the City of Vancouver.

The ravine is located between East 22nd and East 29th Avenues, along the Boyd Diversion and Renfrew Street. Just across 22nd Avenue to the North, you’ll find the Renfrew Community Centre and the 5 hectare Renfrew Park. You can get to the Southern entrance to the ravine greenway via 29th Avenue SkyTrain station.

Features
The ravine follows Still Creek and features a few open park spaces with seating, lookouts, foliage, and interpretive signage. The creek is one of very few still left in Vancouver.

Garden and Plaque Explaining Renfrew Ravine Labyrinth
Photo credit: sillygwailo on Flickr
East Van Pictorial May 2009 East Van Pictorial May 2009
Photo credit: josiejose on Flickr
East Van Pictorial May 2009
Photo credit: JosieJose on Flickr

Events
The Renfrew Ravine is the home of the Moon Festival’s Lantern Walk next week, on September 25th. The festival will have a harvest fair at Slocan Park (to the South of the Ravine, across 29th avenue) and a lantern procession will make its way through the ravine from 7:00pm – 7:30pm, ending up at Renfrew Park.

Renfre Ravine Moonfest 2009 from stillmoon on Vimeo.

Leading up to this free public event you can get attend lantern workshops at the Renfrew Community Centre in the evenings until September 24th.

Should you have a recommendation for a Metro Vancouver or Fraser Valley park feature, please feel free to contact me.

Magique Fall Fashion Affair, Win Tickets

Comments 40 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Although the Lower Mainland’s evergreens do not transform into multicoloured groves like they do back East, autumn in this region is still pretty beautiful. It’s a time to dust off the rain boots and pull all your soft sweaters from summer storage as you head out for a walk around Stanley Park with a piping hot beverage, leaves crunching beneath your feet. Speaking of boots and sweaters, it’s also a new season of fashion in stores and on the streets.

Autumn in the Park

On October 2nd Magique Fashions (a local boutique and wardrobe consultant service) will be hosting a fashion show benefiting the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation. Hosted by Urban Rush’s Fiona Forbes, the fashion show and reception will take place at Coyote Creek Golf Course in Surrey. Items from Sarah Pacini, Michael Kors, Elisa Cavaletti will be hitting the runway along with the hottest names in premier denim.

On top of the fashion show itself, there will be entertainment provided by young singing sensation Cole Armour along with tasty canapes and a custom cocktail for participants to sip.

Tickets are available online for $80 and admission also includes a signature charm designed by local jewelry designer Karyn Chopik, exclusively for this event. In addition, ticket holders will receive 15% of their next purchase at Magique Fashions, located at 124-1959 152 Street, Surrey.

If you would like to attend this event, I have two tickets to give away (value $160). Please leave a comment on this post either about fashion or the fall season in order to be entered to win. I will draw one winner, who will be able to bring a guest, on September 24th.

Update The winner of the tickets is Sherrie, have fun!