Vancouver 2010: Concord Pacific

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Concord Pacific site at False Creek is hosting many of the Vancouver 2010 pavilions and hospitality houses.

Pavilions include: Molson Canada Hockey House, IIHF International Lounge, Hockey Canada House, Maison du Québec, Saskatchewan Pavilion, Global TV, Tourism Vancouver kiosk, Ontario House, BC Housing, and Right to Play.

Friday February 12, 2010
Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
11am – 3pm video highlights
3pm – 5:30pm DJ, Five Alarm Funk
6pm – 2am Opening Ceremonies, The Odds, Club – DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Beatrice Deer
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Ima

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 6:00pm Jack Semple & The Free Style Boogie Band
6pm – Opening Ceremony
7:30pm – Jack Semple, Mobadass, Def 3

Ontario House
11am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Bedouin Soundclash, Transition

Saturday February 13, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Sweden – Switzerland Women’s hockey
5pm – 7:30pm Canada – Slovakia Women’s hockey
9pm – 2am Live act BNL, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Etua Snowball
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Elisapie Isaac

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, Megan Lane
9pm Mobadass
11pm Def 3

Ontario House
11:30am – 4pm Signature Event
7pm – 8:30pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Downchild Blues Band, Transition
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Sunday February 14, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm USA vs. China Women’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Finland vs. Russia Women’s hockey
7pm – 2am DJ, Five Alarm Funk

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Beatrice Deer
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Malajube

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, Megan Lane
9pm Skavenjah
11pm Def 3

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Keshia Chante, Transition
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Monday February 15, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
2:30pm – 5pm Switzerland vs. Canada Women’s hockey
6pm – 7pm The Odds
9:30pm – 2am Tom Cochrane, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Etua Snowball
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Lynda Thalie

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm The True Jive Pluckers, Andrea Menard, Jack Semple
9pm Skavenjah
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Swing Serena Ryder, Transition
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Tuesday February 16, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm USA vs. Switzerland Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Canada vs. Norway Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Five Alarm Funk, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Beatrice Deer
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Karkwa

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm The True Jive Pluckers, Andrea Menard, Jack Semple
9pm Skavenjah
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Elliot Brood, Transition
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Wednesday February 17, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Finland vs. Belarus Men’s hockey
2:30pm – 5pm Canada vs. Sweden Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Hockey Oke w/The Odds, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Etua Snowball
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Misteur Valaire

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm The True Jive Pluckers, Jack Semple
9pm Jason Plum
11pm Ultimate Power Duo

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Arkells, Transition
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Thursday February 18, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm USA vs. Norway Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Switzerland vs. Canada Men’s hockey
8:30pm – 2am Dudes, George Canyon, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 TBA
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Andree Watters

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Regina Riot, Jack Semple
9pm Jason Plumb
11pm Ultimate Power Duo

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Jully Black, Transition
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Friday February 19, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Belarus vs. Sweden Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Czech Republic vs. Latvia Men’s hockey
9pm – 2am Fight Reel, Five Alarm Funk, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Melissa Lavergne

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Regina Riot, Jack Semple
9pm Donny Parenteau
11pm Ultimate Power Duo

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: The Constantines, Transition
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Saturday February 20, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Norway vs. Switzerland Men’s hockey
7pm – 9:30pm PO2 Women’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Comedy Night in Canada, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm The Lost Fingers

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Regina Riot, Jack Semple, Donny Parenteau
9pm Library Voices
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: TBA, Transition
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Sunday February 21, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Russia vs. Czech Republic Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Canada vs. USA Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Wide Mouth, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Coeur de Pirate

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, La Raquette a Claquettes, Donny Parenteau
9pm Library Voices
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Great Lake Swimmers, Transition
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Monday February 22, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Semi-Final 1 Women’s hockey
5pm – 7:30pm Semi-Final 2 Women’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Five Alarm Funk, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Les Trois Accords

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, La Raquette a Claquettes, Donny Parenteau
9pm Library Voices
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Alex J. Robinson & The Junction, Transition
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Tuesday February 23, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm QP1 Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm QP2 Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Sam Roberts, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Alain Francois

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Donny Parenteau, Jack Semple, La Raquette a Claquettes
9pm Kyle Riabko
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Nadjiwan, Transition
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Wednesday February 24, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm QF1 Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm QF2 Men’s hockey
9pm – 2am QF4 Men’s Hockey, Five Alarm, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Samian

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Whitefish Juniors, Jason Plumb, Jack Semple
9pm Kyle Riabko
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
9pm – 2am Performances: Justin Hines, Damien Robitaille, God Made Me Funky
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Thursday February 25, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
11am – 1:30pm Bronze Medal Women’s hockey
3:30pm – 6pm Gold Medal Women’s hockey
9pm – 2am QF4 Guest Band TBD, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Eva Avila

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Whitefish Juniors, Jason Plumb, Jack Semple
9pm Kyle Riabko
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: The Wooden Sky, Transition
[/DDET]

Friday February 26, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm SF1 Men’s hockey
6:30pm – 9pm SF2 Men’s hockey
10pm – 2am Hockey Oke, The Odds, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Florence K

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Whitefish Juniors, The Deep Dark Woods, Jack Semple
9pm Brad Johner
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 4pm Signature Event
8pm – 9pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Molly Johnson, Transition
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Saturday February 27, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
11am – 6pm Men’s Slalom, Men’s Bobsled, Wide Mouth
7pm – 9:30pm Bronze Medal Men’s hockey
10pm – 2am Colin James, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Ivy

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jordan Cook, The Deep Dark Woods, Jack Semple
9pm Brad Johner
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 4pm Signature Event
6pm – 7pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: III Scarlett, Transition
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Sunday February 28, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12:15pm – 2:45pm Gold Medal Men’s hockey
5:30pm – 8pm Closing Ceremonies
10pm – 2am The Odds w/Guests, Club DJ

Maison du Québec
2:45pm – 3:15 Young Inuit Delegation
5pm – 11:30pm 7 Doigts de la Main (contemporary circus)
6:30pm – 9pm Alfa Rococo

Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jordan Cook, Closing Ceremony, The Deep Dark Woods
9pm Brad Johner
11pm Jack Semple

Ontario House
11:30am – 2pm Signature Event
2pm – 4pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Crash Parallel, Transition
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They have their own mega calendar available with a round up of each event, at each pavilion on their site including free activities and performances. For news, updates and photos you can follow @Concord_Place.

Day Tripping: Squamish

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s been ages since I updated my Day Tripping series and thanks to our trek up to Squamish yesterday I can revive it with a worthy entry.

Half way between Whistler and Vancouver lies the historic town of Squamish, BC. Known for its Sea to Sky proximity, windsurfing, The Chief, and its namesake the Squamish First Nation Squamish is a great day-trip destination for those in the Metro Vancouver area.

Squamish, BC Squamish, BC

Starting off the day we picked up Dave and his wife, then headed past Squamish and up to Whistler to pick up my pass from the Whistler Media House. I’ll be doing some Olympics coverage from the Village later this month so it was ideal to make the trek now, before lanes and parking lots were closed.

Squamish, BC

We zipped back down to Squamish, which is only 30 minutes from Vancouver, and spent the rest of the day with Cinci. The rain was misting down as we walked along a gravel road to an opening in the trees that led us down to the river across from Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park. Along the side of the river there multicoloured rocks of all sizes resting below the rushing turquoise water. The sandbars were weighted with rain and silt while the faint stench of salmon carcass ripped through the crisp pristine air.

Squamish, BC Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC Squamish, BC

After our stroll we headed over to the spit, a long, thin strip of land that reaches southward through the water.

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC

It offers amazing views of Howe Sound, Squamish, The Chief, and even the boat on which Vancouver 2010 volunteers are staying. I’m not sure of the significant of the Mona Lisa but it’s an interesting setup for sure.

Squamish, BC

Onward to the downtown core for lunch we experienced Grilled Fromage, which is not your average soup and sandwich joint. Grilled Fromage offers up 57 different kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches, in a funky space, filled with retro 80s atmosphere. Shaun Cassidy and Barry Manilow albums on the wall, signage with plenty of cheese puns, we got Rick-rolled just by looking around.

I ordered the Asiago soup and then the Polyester Pickle which had smoked Gouda, pickles, and bacon — so good. Other options included “Thriller” which has Havarti, Ham, Cranberries, Banana Peppers, “Bonnie & Clyde” with Creamy Danish Blue Cheese, Sliced Pear, Walnuts, “Feliz Navidad” consisting of Brie, Turkey, Cranberries, on sour dough… and many more.

Squamish, BC

We met the owner, Colin Bush, who has done an amazing job of bringing unique culinary life to the area… you can’t go wrong with cheese. As Dave said though, the food was just a part of the experience of dining at Grilled Fromage.

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC

After our cheesy experience we walked through downtown, looking at all the shop windows that were Painting the Town Red.

DSCN2456

Winding around streets we ended up at the Howe Sound Brewing Company, which was filled with warmth, aromas, fresh beer, and plenty of folks out to watch the Superbowl. Dave swears by their beer and it was well worth the trip to taste some samples.

Squamish, BC

Squamish, BC Squamish, BC

Rounding out the day we walked back through the town, which was silent and calm. Even in Metro Vancouver we can sense this sort of “calm before the storm” which will erupt next weekend. If you have the chance, you can spend an afternoon like this is Squamish – you can even partake in far more activities in a single day. Sure, it’s that half-way point between Vancouver and Whistler but it’s also an outdoor playground, which can also offer up some seriously tasty post-adventure treats.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Route in Vancouver

Comments 48 by Rebecca Bollwitt

After 105 days on the road the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is making its way to the host City at the end of this coming week. We know a few special guests will be carrying the flame for a leg, including Steve Nash (NBA) and Trevor Linden (NHL). Here’s the official Torch Relay map for its journey through Vancouver proper.

NOTE These times are when the legs begin, there are several torch-bearers on each leg as they only go about 300 meters each. These are NOT exact times for the people mentioned below, these are the starting times of the legs.

February 11, 2010 Day 105 – Vancouver

Safeway parking lot, Kingsway Avenue and Tyne Street
49th Avenue and Killarney Street
Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Drive
Vancouver City Hall, 12th Avenue and Cambie Street
BC Children’s Hospital, 28th Avenue and Oak Street (Jann Arden)
RCMP Monument, 37th Avenue and Heather Street
41st Avenue and West Boulevard
Musqueam Administration Building, Salish Drive
University of BC, Main Mall
Point Grey Village, 10th Avenue and Sasamat Street
Burrard Bridge
David Lam Park, Yaletown
12:46 pm
1:15 pm
2:13 pm
2:48 pm
3:15 pm
3:30 pm
4:43 pm
5:19 pm
6:14 pm
6:52 pm
7:44 pm
8:00 pm

February 12, 2010 Day 106 – Vancouver

Prospect Point, Stanley Park (Schwarzenegger to Coe)
Denman Street and Davie Street
Inukshuk, Beach Avenue
BC Pavilion, Robson Street and Howe Street
Chinatown Millennium Gate, Pender Street and Taylor Street
Victory Square, Hastings and Cambie Street
Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Hastings and Woodland Drive
Hastings Community Centre, East Hastings Street and Renfrew Street
Adanac Street and Rupert Street
Thunderbird Community Centre 5th Avenue and Cassiar Street
Canada Line Olympic Village, 2nd Avenue and Cambie Street
Granville Island to Yaletown Ferry Docks (Rumoured to be by Dragon Boat)
Yaletown Ferry Docks, foot of Davie Street
Aboriginal Pavillion, Georgia Street and Homer Street
6:21 am
7:51 am
7:55 am
8:27 am
9:00 am
9:13 am
9:45 am
10:29 am
10:38 am
11:18 am
12:38 pm
12:59 pm
1: 27 pm
1:44 pm

Click here to download the full PDF map including celebration site locations.

Update February 8, 2010 I have updated the post with a few of the torch-bearers’ names including Arnold Schwarzenegger [via Vancouver Sun]. Since many on Twitter expressed confusion over this selection, I thought I would put it to a poll.

[poll id=”46″]

Update February 11, 2010 My sources tell me Steve Nash will run at 4:16pm on February 11th (today) and that Michael Buble will be along Pacific around 7:50pm. Also, Trevor Linden will be at 3:50pm today near Main and 37th.

Vancouver 2010 House of Switzerland Grand Opening

Comments 6 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Tonight starting at 4:30pm the doors of House of Switzerland Canada will be opened to the public over at Bridges on Granville Island. The restaurant remains open throughout the games, serving up delicious Swiss creations but tonight, it’s all about the party.

House of Switzerland Canada

I’m sitting in the back corner doing some blogging alongside over $200 in Swiss merchandise. I have a grand prize Lindt gift basket, some Zimtstern belts, Zimtstern hats, aprons, and a Lindt cookbook up for grabs. Come on by, spot me, tweet about this event, and I’ll do a draw around 6:00pm for the prizes.

House of Switzerland Canada House of Switzerland Canada

House of Switzerland Canada House of Switzerland Canada

As a bit of disclosure, I am here independently as accredited media for House of Switzerland. I asked if I could come live blog from their event and they enthusiastically said, “YES!” and offered up the prizing to boot.

DSCN2325

Update: Chef Béda Zengg (whom I met in Switzerland) just dropped off this food. It’s probably better than you join me as soon as possible since I won’t be able to finish all of this myself. I have a table reserved for visitors if you’re able to come by right now.

Update: For the next month, the coffee supplier at Bridges is the Swiss company, Nespresso.

House of Switzerland Canada - @GastonReport House of Switzerland Canada 2010

Update: French reporter and Twitter personality @GastonReport stopped by to say hello then I stepped outside to watch the opening ceremonies.

House of Switzerland Canada 2010

Update: Thank you to everyone that came by, which I believe was about 20-30 people just for the Tweetup at various times. Congratulations to Bev Davies who won the $150 chocolate gift basket and thanks to KLParrot, ArianeC, Photodreamz, VancouverLens, Raul, and more who stopped by. Bridges will be open daily and you can find a list of special House of Switzerland events on their website.

There’s lots more in store and if you do make it by, let me know how you enjoyed the experience (once you come down off the Lindt chocolate high). I’ll be back on Valentine’s Day for another one of their signature events.

Vancouver 2010 Katarina Witt and Elizabeth Manley at GE Ice Plaza Robson Square

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Just a quite note about this exciting public event with Katarina Witt and Elizabeth Manley taking place at GE Ice Plaza this Sunday at 11:30am.

Christmas @ GE Plaza

The figure skating stars of the Calgary 88 Olympics will be reunited on the ice at Robson Square. The event is open to the public, media, and young skaters from the Coquitlam Skating Club will be there too. Robson Square is hosting a series of free events during the Games including free public skating, concerts, and the free Olympic Zipline overhead launching February 12th.