Photo credit: John Bollwitt

On February 12, 2010 the Olympic Torch Relay will make its way down Denman Street with the torch carried by Judy Caldwell.

Judy is the founder of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region and spectators are encouraged to come out and support her leg of the relay by wearing pink.

Let’s show the world that a diagnosis of breast cancer hasn’t stopped Judy and thousands of other women from leading healthy, vital and active lives – and that with our continued support and effort, we CAN have a future without breast cancer.

Everyone is being asked to paint the town pink by wearing pink hats, scarves, feather boas, mittens, shirts and jackets. Organizers are asking that if you wear a pink shirt or hat please be sure there are no logos on it. I assume they will be filming this and they’d like to get as many people as possible in the shot (without corporate or non-Olympic branding I assume).

Judy will have a 300 meter segment February 12th at 7:50am from Denman and Davie over to the Inukshuk in English Bay.

I profiled Canada’s Northern House in my giant Vancouver 2010 Pavilions & Hospitality Houses post however I have also been providing expanded coverage for many of the houses. There’s much to do at Canada’s Northern House as they have quite a bit to offer at Games time.

Photo credit: Canada’s North on Flickr

Representing the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, here are some of the events you can enjoy for free at Canada’s Northern House.

Diamond Week
February 1-4, 2010 from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Diamond week will be a four day showcase of the diamond mining industry from early exploration through to the production, marketing of the final end product. At this three-day public event you can learn about Canada’s diamond producing regions.

February 1, 2010
The NWT Diamond Story

February 2, 2010
Mining for Canadian Diamonds

February 3, 2010
From Mine to Consumer – Processing NWT Diamonds

On February 4th there is also a Diamong and Fashion reception but it is by invitation only.

NWT Tourism Days
February 8-9, 2010 from 8:30am to 4:00pm

Learn about the Northwest Territories’ UNESCO World Heritage National Parks and outdoor activities and take part in workshops such as watching and chatting about the History Television show, Ice Pilots NWT.

Diamond Polishing
February 12-27 from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Arctic Sports Demonstration
February 13, 2010 from 11:00am to 9:00pm
Demonstrations and workshops will take place throughout the day covering everything from Kicking Sport and Pushing Sports, to Dene Hand Games.

Located at 602 West Hastings, Canada’s Northern House has been open since January 14th, 2010. You can stop by just to see the displays and exhibits daily from 10:00am until 9:00pm.

Follow @CanadasNorth on Twitter for event updates and information.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Update February 10, 2010 I had the chance to check this out today and it was absolutely lovely. Art, industry, history and culture all profiled in one space.

In Canada’s north there’s “a story to be told” said the crew at the pavilion. “When you can tee off at 11:00pm life isn’t so bad,” they added in reference to the 24 hours of sunlight they get at a certain point in the year.

The Northwest Territories are the 3rd largest diamond manufacturer in the world and they do so ethically. They also have as much gold resources as there was during the gold rush days of yore. If you have the chance to check out this pavilion with the kids you’ll learn a lot and get to touch some of the softest muskox wool on the planet.

Of special interest, Canada’s Northern House will be open until March 21st and they have FREE wifi available. Stop by and fill out their contest form to win a unique tapestry, a hunk of gold, or an NWT diamond.

Vancouver has LiveCity, Surrey has its Celebration Site at Holland Park, and Richmond will also be on the 2010 celebration festival map with the Richmond O Zone at Minoru Park.

Photograph © City of Richmond | 2010

Accessible from the Canada Line, this massive outdoor festival will host concerts, family activities and even the Holland Heineken House. Here’s a rundown of what you can find at the Richmond O Zone:

Here are just a few of the concerts that will take place:

The Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay arrives in Richmond February 9th and events kick off around 4:30pm with the torch ceremony happening from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. This will be followed by a fireworks show at 9:00pm.

You can find full concert listings on the Richmond O Zone website and they have updates on Twitter. If you do check out the O Zone and take photos, you can add them to their official Flickr group as well.

If you’re looking for a bit more of an exclusive experience at the O Zone, you can purchase upgrades that include everything from Executive Lounges to Private Suites at the site.

Last night we attended the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay celebration in Prince George. I don’t want to give away too many details as the crew of 250+ is currently on the road to the Lower Mainland. What I can say is that this traveling act that have been going for about 4 solid months sure can get a community pumped.

About an hour before the Olympic Torch came into the venue to light to local cauldron a Coca-Cola truck was making its way through town pumping beats and announcing the arrival of the flame. Standing along the street corner the flame was passed from torch to torch as it winded through the streets of Prince George.

At the exhibition grounds the RBC and Coca-Cola teas setup camp. The emcee on stage compared their production to a circus as the caravan rolls into town one night, sets up the big top, then cruises on out.

There was a ceremony as the flame entered the grounds and was walked on stage. The final torch runner of this leg was Alix Wells, who got to light the cauldron.

Premier Campbell, who is traveling with the group, said a few words as did VANOC CEO John Furlong (who used to live in Prince George) and other local delegates.

At every stop along the Torch Relay the same song is performed but by community children and youth choirs. After a bit more fanfare, stops at the swag booths, and photos taken at the BC You Gotta Be Here display, the crowd was dazzled with a fireworks show. The spectacle that this group puts on within 24 hours of rolling into a city is impressive.

Torch bearers milled about through the crowd with their families and were all treated like white track-suit wearing rock stars. There is a nice assortment of activities for kids, plenty of community involvement, and lots of pumped up music.

To find out more about the community Torch Relay celebration in your area you can check your city’s main website or browse this post I put together with a big event and location listing.

Yesterday I hopped a flight up to Prince George as a guest of Northern BC Tourism to check out the Olympic Torch Relay as it passes through along with some of the seasonal activities the region has to offer.

One of our first stops was over at the Outdoor Ice Oval. A crisp, slick rink located in a bowl next to the exhibition grounds.

This community rink is open to the public 7 days a week for families, skaters, kids and clubs. I’m not sure where the hot chocolate came from but it was a very nice touch.

We showed up as the local speedskating club is practicing, and lucky for us, members of the Prince George Blizzards were willing to give us a skating tip or two.

I learned the difference between short and long track skates, the proper positioning, and also that Kris Krug is probably the only person I know who could pull off the ‘leather chaps with speedskates’ look.

Facilities like this rely on community support (and that honour system) and they have recently invested quite a bit into keeping the Oval up and running. This includes getting better mechanisms in place to get the ice frozen and now there’s even have a Zamboni to surface the ice.

All of this care and dedication has certainly paid off. For a community rink it’s not only huge but it has also built its own community around it. You can stop by for a skate, take the stroller with you, practice your skills, or sit on the sidelines with a cup of hot chocolate.

Parents, children, and recreational users converge in this chilly oasis as giggles, mix with the sound of blade metal slicing the ice, quick and clean. The Oval seems like a fantastic place to get exercise, spend time with family, or hone your skating skills.

Update: Kris has his photos up on Flickr – they’re pretty amazing except I don’t think I have the correct speedskating posture quite right…