The following has been contributed by Brian Wawryshyn, owner of the BC Lions fan blog BCLionsDen.ca
The bye week is upon the BC Lions and the timing probably couldn’t be better for fans and players alike. The Lions are off to a 1-6 start and struggling to find their winning ways. With a young roster and some injury issues, they’ll be using this week off to try and right the ship.
Despite their record to date, there are some great reasons to get out and see the BC Lions in action – and no bigger one than the experience of Empire Field. Even casual sports fans are having a great time on the site where the Lions played until 1982. The great summer weather has made for a few beautiful nights watching football in the environment it was meant to be played – outdoors.
The Lions and the PNE have allowed for a great game day atmosphere. The pregame tailgate parties fill the parking lot with the aroma of barbequed goodies and allow hardcore Lions fans to mingle prior to the game. The sounds of live bands can be heard from the Lions Street Party, held two hours before each game. The Felions dance team is on hand along with Leo the Lion and activities for kids.
The game atmosphere itself is completely different than what recent generations of Lions fans have experienced at cavernous BC Place stadium. The configuration of the temporary stadium has fans right on top of the action. It hasn’t taken Lions fans long to figure out that metal bleachers make a lot of noise when you stomp your feet and “Orange Thunder†has been filling the air when the opposing teams have the ball on offence.
The club has also done a good job of celebrating the past, bringing out such alumni players as Norm Fieldgate, Al Wilson, Tyrone Crews as well as former coach Vic Rapp among others.
If only the Lions could give the fans more to cheer about. The 1-6 start is the worst ever under the Wally Buono regime and the team has really struggled on offence with problems on the offensive line as well as injuries and inconsistent play at the quarterback position. Fans and media have been quick to point the finger at the coaches, but it’s been all of the above that has contributed to the slow start.
The break will see some new players brought in to try and stop the bleeding (such as 3 time all-star defensive lineman Jonathon Brown, formerly of the Toronto Argonauts) but, for the most part, it will be up to existing team members to turn things around and get the first win at Empire Field and try and get back into the playoff race.
If you haven’t been to a game, make sure you check one out. It’s great fun for the whole family, and with the PNE and Playland within a stone’s throw of the stadium, it’s easy to make a day of it.
The next BC Lions game is Friday August 27th at 7:30pm against the first place Calgary Stampeders. The PNE is in full swing on that day, so plan your time and transportation accordingly.
Brian Wawryshyn is the owner of the BC Lions fan blog BCLionsDen.ca and can be followed on Twitter as @BCLionsDen.
Miss604.com has two tickets to give away for the next BC Lions game vs the Calgary Stampeders, Friday August 27th. Here’s how to enter to win:
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One winner will be drawn from all entries August 24th at 9:00am. Follow @BCLions on Twitter for updates and team news.
Update The winner of the Lions tickets is Natalie – have fun at the game!
The 2010 Vancouver Zombiewalk is this Saturday as hundreds of “undead” will take to the streets of Vancouver.
All willing zombies are to meet at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 4:30pm for the annual walk around downtown. The route will take the procession down Robson to Denman, toward Beach, right up Davie then end at the Seawall, “where the Zombies can decompress, decompose, and continue to frolic … and of course, take lots of pictures!”
I have read on several sites that it is important to remember to not vandalize property — no smearing excessive “blood” or knocking things over. This is to be a peaceful zombie march.
Show up early at 3:30pm to learn the moves you’ll need to be a part of this year’s Thrill The World in October. Vancouver is a part of this annual worldwide simultaneous Thriller Dance and its zombie numbers are growing each year. In 2009, 242 zombies danced at the Yaletown Roundhouse and raised over $4,500 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
You don’t need to have a dance background or experience but you will need to learn how to dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Fortunately there are rehearsal dates and meetups such as the one this Saturday ahead of the Zombiewalk.
One of the most memorable moments during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics was walking down a pedestrian-only Robson or Granville at any hour and being able to high-five almost everyone you passed. Now, Paralympic silver medallist Josh Dueck is leading the Raise Your Hand for the Record campaign with WorkSafeBC to see if he can set the world record for most high-fives in a 24-hour period.
The goal is to increase young workers’ awareness and understanding of their safety rights and how to stay safe at work. Dueck said in the Raise Your Hand press release that, “It’s about making workplaces safer for everyone, but especially young workers. Life is full of choices. So, raise your hand and know your rights.” Young workers experience the greatest number of time-loss claims due to being struck by objects, overexertion, and falls.
The high-five marathon will begin August 27th at Empire Field during the BC Lions game, then it will move on to the Kaboom Plaza, then the PNE grounds. The event will wrap-up August 28th at the PNE’s Celebration Plaza.
Should the marathon be a success, hopefully more will be aware of WorkSafeBC’s campaign and Dueck (along with thousands of high-fiving Vancouverites) will earn a spot in the Guinness World Record book.
How you can help:
Come down to Empire Field August 27th and August 28th to show your support and get your hand slapped for the record
Spread the message and follow @ryhmovement on Twitter or share on Facebook
Raise Your Hand will have a presence throughout the PNE as well as an info station at the Live at Squamish music festival.
Update Josh did it! 9,307 high-fives. He is now a world record-holder thanks to everyone that participated.
Last night I was hosted by Tourism Richmond for a walking and tasting tour along with over a dozen food and travel writers.
The theme of the evening was Demystifying “Food Street” which is a nickname given to Alexandra Road, home to over 200 restaurants within 3 city blocks. We were split into two groups and I followed Michelle Ng, who runs the Vancouver Foodie Tour. She was brought in by Tourism Richmond as a host and independent connoisseur of all things dining in Richmond. Having lived in the city for 25 years Michelle recently got out of her gig in the technology industry and followed her heart – to hosting delicious (and affordable) food tours.
Our first stop was Well Tea Taiwanese Restaurant where they had bubble tea and slushes waiting for the entire group. I admit, I’ve never had bubble tea before and it was a delightfully refreshing way to start the tour (although it was rather filling and this was just the first stop). Well Tea is very spacious inside and they serve up over 40 varieties of tea as well as casual Taiwanese snacks.
We had four official stops on the 4 hour tour but as we walked and Michelle talked, the group learned about everything from ‘how to know if a dumpling is properly cooked’ to the difference between Hong Kong style Western Cafes and Izakayas. Michelle not only spoke as though she was educated about Asian food, but as someone who was passionate about her community, often tossing in personal tidbits of information (ie. where to get the best foot massage and who to ask for).
Our unofficial second stop was at Kam Do Bakery which is the place to go for Loh Po Beng (winter melon pastry). You can read a bit more about Loh Po Beng here. On to our “official” second stop at Cattle Cafe.
Here we enjoyed Malay Laksa Soup, Baked Pork Chop with Tomatoe Sauce on Rice, Baked Seafood with Creams Sauce on Rice, Unagi (BBQ eel) Sandwich with Cucumber (and white bread with the crusts cut off), and Bubble Waffle. Favourite at this stop: The soup (though very spicy) and sandwich.
The next stop was Nan Chuu Japanese Izakaya, part of the Gyoza King family. With its extensive beverage list and vast tapas menu I think it’s here that I started getting really full (even with another stop left on the tour). What we found helpful was that they listed their Top 5 menu items from the past week on their menu so if you walked in and didn’t know what to order, that would be a great place to start.
Vegetarians beware our samplings at Nan Chuu were Ebi Mayo, Udon with Mushroom and Bacon, Deep Fried Chicken Skins (two ways), Chicken Hearts (two ways), Chicken Gizzard (two ways), Salmon Wraps, and Thinly-sliced Beef Tongue Stew. Favourite at this stop: The salmon and the beef stew.
We polished off the evening was Jang Mo Jib Korean Restaurant. It looks like a schnitzel house on the outside which stands to reason as the building used to be home to pub. The owners renovated and created a top-notch Korean dining experience which is rather evident when you arrive and see an endorsement from James Barber on the front door.
The dining room is huge, with high ceilings and the Food Network playing from flat screen TV’s. I think we had the most food here which included: Soon Dae Jub See (blood sausage), Jok Bahl (BBQ pork feet), Jab Che (sweet potato noodle), Hae Mool Pah Jun (seafood pancake), Tohng Gahl Bee (beef short ribs), and pork ribs. Favourite at this stop: Jab Che, Tohng Gahl Bee, and Hae Mool Pah Jun.
In order to avoid wasting the food samples, Tourism Richmond provided everyone with a take-away food container so that we could savour the leftovers later on or bring home some of our favourite dishes for our loved ones.
It’s amazing to think that we explored so many Asian culinary styles and dishes within about a 2-block radius. We had great guides that definitely opened my eyes to some of the dining possibilities within Richmond. “Food Street” is a short walk from Lansdowne Canada Line Station and everyone recommended that you either make dinner reservations or arrive before 6:00pm before the entire block fills up with dinner guests for the evening. Check out a recommended food tour itinerary on the Tourism Richmond website.
Disclosure cmp.ly/2 our meals were compliments of Tourism Richmond.
When I was young I remember waking up summer mornings, sun blazing through my East-facing window and warming the foot of my bed. My cat would hop across my sheet-covered legs to sprawl then bask in the rays. She would lay there until either her movements or the heat forced me to get up and toss on my freshly cut shorts, recycled from last school year’s jeans. Morning birds would sing, the garbage truck would roar, and my cereal would snap, crackle and pop.
The day’s activities were unknown but there were a few staple selections from which to choose. Badminton (if the net was still up), Frisbee (if it wasn’t on the roof), kiddie pool (if no beetles had found their way in), or one of the many yard games my siblings and I had invented (or adapted from summer camp play). All involved many hours in the backyard or on the front lawn; grass between the toes, honeysuckle patches, and avoiding any “gifts” the neighbour’s dog may have left us. Continue reading this post 〉〉