The Seawall is not only an icon of our city, stretching its arms around Stanley Park and the downtown core, but it’s a regular hang-out for locals and visitors alike. Starting today, there will be a detour at Sunset Beach while they do some reconstruction on some older portions of the retainer. Making sure that this barrier is safe and sturdy is paramount as it is constantly pummelled by the salty splashes of the Pacific Ocean.
Repairs will be on a stretch about 340 meters long between Sunset Beach and the Inukshuk and should be completed by the fall. Repaving will then take place between Brockton Point and Lumberman’s Arch for about two weeks after that.
It’s has its fair share of unexpected closures of the years but I’m glad they’re taking the time to do some repairs right now. I had my eye on the Seawall a few years ago when it took about 14 months to fix a piece that had been washed away by a severe wind storm.
As the portion currently under reconstruction is about 75 years old I thought it would be worth taking a look back at the Seawall and how it has literally shaped our city.
Timeline (via VancouverHistory.ca)
1917, Jimmy (James) Cunnningham began building the Stanley Park Seawall
1931, Cunningham named Vancouver Parks Board master stonemason
1968, The Stanley Park Seawall had had 1,200 lineal feet added
1980, The remaining 1.5 miles in the Siwash Rock area were completed
1980, A plaque at Siwash Rock was erected in memory of Cunningham
1948, Photographer: Walter Edwin Frost, Archives Item #CVA 447-129
2010, Photo credit:
Junnn on Flickr
The Seawall route has continued to expand over the years, connecting far corners of the city through a network of paths and pedestrian thoroughfares. In total there are about 22 kilometers of Seawall that run from Coal Harbour, around Stanley Park, through to Sunset Beach, False Creek, over to Granville Island, under the Burrard Bridge, to Vanier Park and terminating at Kitsilano Beach.
Sushi, Sake & Summer is an upcoming fundraiser hosted by Edible British Columbia that will benefit the Vancouver YWCA’s Crabtree Corner facility.
Where Public Market Courtyard behind the Granville Island Public Market
When Saturday July 25, 2010, 8:15pm until 10:15pm
Emceed by Global TV’s Sophie Lui, the event will feature legendary celebrity Chef Tojo who will be preparing sushi and assorted samples. You may also get a taste of local chocolate, sake, beer, wine and spirits.
All tastings are included in your ticket price but you can also purchase some of the herbs used throughout the evening’s menu via GardenWorks. A number of local products will be available for purchase from Edible BC along Evaleen Jaager Roy’s book, Four Chefs, One Garden featuring Tojo, Vikram Vij, Michel Jacob and Umberto Menghi.
If you plan on heading over for the event, Aquabus is offering all Sushi, Sake & Summer guests 50% a roundtrip fare so leave your car at home.
There are only 100 tickets available (for $100 a piece) through Edible BC’s website and they’re going fast.
There are so many places from where you can catch the Celebration of Light fireworks in Vancouver. From a blanket at Vanier Park, a bench near Jericho Beach, on the grass at English Bay, or a patio if you’re lucky enough to get a reservation. This year there’s another option that will not only give you a spectacular view, but in the process you’ll be supporting a great cause.
Dine Above the Stars premiers on July 28th at 6:00pm as 88 guests are invited to enjoy a food, wine, and the fireworks from the 35th floor of The Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites on Denman. Presented by The Coast and Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, the event will be supporting A Loving Spoonful through ticket sales and a silent auction.
A Loving Spoonful is a Vancouver based, volunteer driven, non-partisan Society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS.Every week, all year round for over 20 years, A Loving Spoonful volunteers deliver frozen meals and snack packs to men, women and children who are primarily homebound with AIDS. In 2009 ALS provided over 100,000 meals with an average meal cost of only $3.55.
Tickets for Dine Above the Stars are available for $120 (with a $60 tax receipt provided) and this includes a 5-course dinner with wine pairings. Call (604) 682-6325 or by email dine[at]alovingspoonful.org to reserve your spot.
Update: The August 7th screening is postponed due to rain.
There will be free outdoor movies in Surrey every Saturday night in August. The Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association will be hosting these evening events at Holland Park and have partnered with the Surrey Library on a theme for the films, “read the book, see the movie”.
August 7, 2010: The Wizard of Oz
August 14, 2010: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
August 21, 2010: The Last Song (with Miley Cyrus)
August 28, 2010: How to Train Your Dragon
Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets to camp out while refreshments will be available courtesy of a BBQ hosted by the North Surrey Lions Club. I also discovered this weekend that Holland Park has free wifi, in case you’d like to stay connected while you lay out on the grass.
Festivities will begin at 4:00pm each Saturday and the movies will start at dusk.
Updated July 18th, 2010: Yesterday John and I attended the opening day of the 3rd annual Fusion Festival at Holland Park in Surrey.
Once again it was packed with pavilions (offering food selections from over 30 countries) and four stages (one more than previous years) featuring performers from across the globe.
After the welcoming ceremonies, there was a parade of nations around the grounds. Surrey Mayor Diane Watts led the group and Mark Donnelly (known for belting out the anthem at Canucks games) was the flag-bearer for Canada.
From the expanded Taiwan tent with plenty of free samples, to the well-deserved line-up for Jamaican smoothies (because they’re a must-have) the 2010 Fusion Festival did not disappoint.
For making food purchases you need to get tickets. 1 ticket = $1. Most pavilions have items starting at two or three tickets however I made a list of what I can get for one: Butter scones (South Africa), Water (Portugal), Samosa (Kenya), Mandazi (Kenyan donut), Pop (Poland), Pop (China), Fruit Punch (Sri Lanka). For about three tickets you can get everything from tacos to dim sum.
We also took in concerts from We Are the City and Brasstronaut.
Being a free festival including activities, performances, concerts and more, it’s definitely worth caching in a couple bucks for some tickets to try out some of the many delicacies that are being offered. All food pavilions are operated by local business, either from Surrey or around Metro Vancouver. Another addition this year is a second food tent, where you can seek shelter from the sun at a table in the shade.
Every 20 feet there is a new aroma in the air and different crafts, products, and displays. Learn about medieval Poland then hop over to decorate a flag in Canada. Be a part of the aboriginal friendship circle, then head to Ecuador to browse a collection of sweaters and dresses.
We’re heading back to the Fusion Festival today and once again, I highly recommend that you check it out.
It’s completely free to attend and easy to get to by SkyTrain (located between Central City and King George stations). The music continues today with the final show of the evening at 7:30pm with the Grapes of Wrath and be sure to load up on sunscreen.
All photos in this post are by John Bollwitt. Check out his full set from the Surrey Fusion Festival on Flickr.
