The Crazy Sustainable Commute is for fun as well as promoting alternatives to driving to get from A to B. On August 27th commuters are being asked to find their way to work in a unique and creative way. Suggestions include canoeing, stilt walking, rollerblading, skateboarding, kayak, pogo stick, etc.
“The goal is to inject enthusiasm and obtain exposure to sustainable transportation. We want to get people to rethink the way they get to work!” You can sign up online for the Crazy Sustainable Commute and there will be an after-party at 5:00pm that day in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Follow @CrazySustCommut or the tag #CSCVan2010 on Twitter for updates and participant info.
BrazilFest comes to Granville this Saturday from 10:00am until 8:00pm on the stretch between Robson and Georgia that is pedestrian-only.
There will be guitar and full band shows, samba dancing, a soccer performance, capoeira, ballet, an art exhibit from Beth Maia, and more. The festival is entirely free and open to the public.
The goal of BrazilFest is not only to celebrate Brazilian culture through a full-day street party but to also raise awareness and funds for the community of Citrolandia, Brazil. You can read more about the campaign, sponsorship or volunteering at BrazilFest via the Vila Isabel Charitable Society.
Ever since Granville Street re-opened it’s become more of a hub than ever for entertaining crowds, watching global sporting events, or learning to salsa or swing dance. The pedestrian-only thoroughfare, at least for a few more weeks, has been hosting everything from busker showcases to an upcoming tennis tournament. Check out RediscoverGranville to learn more.
When the temperatures hit record highs walking through cool forests and jumping into a glacier-fed lake sounds pretty tempting. Golden Ears Provincial Park is a great place to escape the city in summer or winter and as such, it’s my next Park Series feature.
Metrics At 62,540 hectares it’s one of the largest parks in the province.
How to get there The park is 11 km north of Maple Ridge on the north side of the Fraser River. You can get there through Maple Ridge, along Dewdney Trunk Road. View full directions and maps online. It can be a hiking, camping or day-trip/picnic destination on the weekend for Metro Vancouverites.
Features Network of trails for hiking and horseback riding, Alouette Lake for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing (boats for rent during the summer), boating and fishing. Alouette campground, Gold Creek campground, and North Beach campground. Picnic areas, playgrounds, and hot showers in the campgrounds.
History Established in 1927, the park was named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanshard near the peak’s western boundary. The lake and its forested surroundings were also the traditional hunting and fishing grounds for the Douglas-Lillooet (Interior Salish) and Katzie (Coast Salish) First Nations peoples.
Should you have a suggestion for the next Park Series feature (Metro Vancouver or Fraser Valley) please feel free to contact me. I also accept guest posts on this topic.
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 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).
