Halloween Comes Early at the Rio

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

If there’s one movie I’ve heard people talking about all summer, that isn’t The Simpsons, it’s Halloween. Why is there so much buzz, is it because people just like scary movies? Well yes, that and this is a Rob Zombie production based on John Carpenter‘s screenplay.

After being committed for 17 years, Michael Myers, now a grown man and still very dangerous, is mistakenly released from the mental institution (where he was committed as a 10 year old) and he immediately returns to Haddonfield, where he wants to find his baby sister, Laurie. Anyone who crosses his path is in mortal danger.[IMDB]

As with the premiere of Rush Hour 3, I have been invited to attend the midnight screening of Halloween at the Rio on Broadway. In the same fashion as the Rush Hour escapade, we’re going to make it a girls night. Of course I’m going to bring the same two girls as last time because I’ve heard them chat and gush about Rob Zombie flicks often – even when we were waiting outside the Rio last month.

The Rio is premiering Halloween tonight, then it will be showing daily at 7:00pm and 9:30pm throughout the next week. I’ll report back after the screening so I can probably share how freaked out I am, whether it be from the movie or the cab ride back downtown.

The Rio is located at 1660 E Broadway. Movie tickets at $8 for first-run shows and $5 on Tuesdays.

The Crazy Canucks – #39, All Jersey Edition

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s been a while since our last episode but us Crazy Canucks just don’t stop, even if it is 28 degrees outside. Three of five got together this afternoon to do a bit of recording outside GM Place. In the midst of logo-mania we captured Episode #39 of the podcast.


retrocactus on Flickr

There has been a lot of talk and speculation as to what would appear today, and everyone shares their opinion of what they just witnessed.

Also jammed in the middle is audio from a video that Rebecca shot with her digital camera of the montage that ran just prior to the players skating out onto the ice in the new threads. Apologies for the quality, but you might be able to make it out if you try.

Also chiming in on this episode is John Biehler, a fellow Canucks fan and blogger. He snapped this photo a few weeks before this launch, and it was almost spot on.

Run, don’t walk, over to the site to listen to or download the audio and to read the show notes. Be sure to read those show notes as there are links to other recap posts like John and Alanah‘s entries, which have some great discussions.

Canucks Logo, Job Action and Ewok Villages

Comments 8 by Rebecca Bollwitt

If you live or work around False Creek this morning you may find a few more people milling about than usual. Over at GM Place we’re going to attend the official logo launch tailgate party on the South Plaza at 11:30, then head in to the arena for the unveiling at 12:30pm. I’ll have an update posting to my ongoing Canucks Uniform post.

On top of jersey mayhem, striking civic workers are having a rally of their own, followed by a march.

CUPE is hoping for a large crowd. They’ll be gathering at Science World and marching from 10:30am until noon up Quebec Street, and over to city hall at Cambie and 12th. [News1130]

Speaking of job action, and my recent post about places to stay in Vancouver, four hotels downtown might soon be behind picket lines as well.

…more than two-thousand unionized workers from the Hyatt Regency, Westin Bayshore, Four Seasons and Renaissance Vancouver hotels take a strike vote today to back contract demands. [CKNW]

Perhaps those with an upcoming trip to the city should consider the options listed on my post about boutique hotels (wink wink, nudge nudge).

Speaking of visitors to our fair city, did you know there was a Tourism Hall of Fame?

The owner of the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is being inducted into the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame. Nancy Stibbard is the only British Columbian and only woman getting the honour among the five inductees this year. [News1130]

diff angle I wonder if the Steamclock is in there anywhere. Good on Ms Stibbard, but I swear anyone can make up awards of distinction about anything these days. Maybe one day I’ll be inducted into the Vancouver/Surrey Blogger Hall of Fame… once I create it.

Update: The new jerseys are blue, white and green with the orca logo and the word “Vancouver” across the top.

All of my photos from GM Place this afternoon are now up on Flickr, thanks to my hubby.

A Bouquet of Freshly Sharpened Pencils

Comments 12 by Rebecca Bollwitt

As Vancouverites, we accept 10 months of rain and mild weather. We come to live with the fact that if there’s frost on the ground, no one can drive properly and if it’s rainy from October to June… at least there will be sun in July and August. This year I don’t think Mother Nature lived up to her end of the bargain.

There were highlights this summer, a couple beach days and a mini trip to the Okanagan but somehow it feels like the season is almost gone and I don’t have enough of a tan to show for it. Also, about a dozen people I know (including myself) have come down with a cold or flu… in the middle of August, what gives? Of course, summer lasts well into September but with Labour Day fast approaching and the kiddies going back to school, I feel a little ripped off. Surprisingly, I think I’m okay with that because I’ve come to the realization that I actually, honestly, truly love autumn.


Photo credit (with permission): © Jer Crowle on Flickr

I love watching the leaves change, wearing cute sweaters, drinking a warm beverage while wrapping both my hands around the cup, and buying more closed-toe shoes (much to my husband’s chagrin). The air smells crisp, there are no forest fire threats, and when you step out of the house to head to work, a visible puff of your breath leads you out the door and down the street.

Thanksgiving, raking leaves, turkey, scary movies, Halloween, what’s not to love about the time of year that’s fast-approaching? Sure I haven’t had enough summer and I don’t even get to go back to school shopping to make up for my lack of sun exposure, but I’m not going to complain. Vancouver autumns are beautiful and I’m lucky enough to have experienced two of New England’s as well.

When the frost comes out and the walk to work in heels because a sidewalk balancing act, maybe we’ll be able to jet off and fly South. Escaping, just as super hot and sunny days have done to us this year.

In true Miss604 fashion I couldn’t just leave this post as-is; I had to add a poll.

[poll=5]

To view and vote on past polls, visit the Miss604.com poll page.

Canada Russia Super Series

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It was 35 years ago that our nation rallied behind a group of hockey players in games taking place from Vancouver, to Moscow and in between. The series was East vs West, Communism vs Democracy, and more importantly… who was the world’s ‘Hockey Nation’.

The Summit Series was the first competition between full-strength Soviet and Canadian national ice hockey teams, an eight-game series held in September of 1972. Canada won the series four games to three, with one tie…

…The Series was played at a time when only amateurs were allowed to play in the Olympic Games. [wiki]

Today is the first match of the Canada-Russia Super Series, a part of the Summit Series’ legacy.

The 2007 Super Series is an eight-game Under-20 ice hockey challenge between Russia and Canada. It will be held from August 27 to September 9 in various venues in both countries. The event commemorates the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series between the USSR and Canada. [wiki]

The series kicked off today in Ufa, will move to Omsk, then Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Red Deer before game 8 in Vancouver at GM Place on September 9th.

The Vancouver Giants’ own Milan Lucic is playing for Team Canada along with many other U-20 stars such as New Westminster’s Kyle Turris.

It’s pretty nice to wake up to hockey on TV, and the games are going to be about every 2 days over the next couple weeks. It should be a nice warm up to the NHL’s pre-season, for all those counting down the days. Good luck to Team Canada, and no matter how poorly our boys do… please try not to boo, they’re giving it their 150% and we appreciate that.