The Big BC Bingo Live at the Pacific Coliseum for Six BC Nonprofits

Comments 10 by Rebecca Bollwitt

BC’s largest ever charity bingo event, the Big BC Bingo, has just been announced for October 1-2, 2022 and will feature up to $1 million dollars in cash prizes and appearances by beloved TV game show icon, Vanna White!

The Big BC Bingo will support Variety BC, the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC, CKNW Kids’ Fund, Coast Mental Health Foundation, Italian Cultural Centre and West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation.

Big BC Bingo Ad

“I’m looking forward to raising ‘Big Money’ for these organizations and the great work that they do. I hope to see all of our Vancouver and British Columbia fans there,” says Vanna White.

The Big BC Bingo

UPDATE: Venue change and single date change

  • When: Saturday October 1, 2022 only
    • 9:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm sessions
  • Where: Pacific Coliseum at the PNE Event will now at take place at Hastings Racecourse. Use the Club House entrance, parking gate 6 off of Renfrew St
  • How to Join: Get tickets online now or by calling the ticket hotline 604-252-3700.
    • A single session (15 games plus bonus game opportunities) for $139.50 or for a full three-session day pass $350.00 (45 games plus bonus game opportunities)

“Variety is pleased to be partnering with our colleagues in the not-for-profit sector and jointly coming together to present this fun and exciting two-day event,” said George Pitman, Variety BC Board Chair.

The event will be like no other bingo event you’ve seen with amazing jackpots, celebrity hosts, live entertainers, great food and beverages, and a TV game show icon. All for six amazing causes! Don’t miss out on this exciting fundraising experience – where you could also win big.

Presenting sponsor Hastings Racecourse, Platinum sponsor White Spot, Venue sponsor The Pacific National Exhibition, and Miss604 is the proud social media sponsor of the Big BC Bingo for BC charities

FAQ

  • 600 participants per session
  • Average session is 90 mins, with 15 games per session
  • Accessible parking is available
  • This is now taking place at Hastings Racecourse
  • This is now a single day event October 1

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Win Canadian Championship

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Whitecaps FC won the 2022 Canadian Championship tonight after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Toronto FC at BC Place. The team hoisted the Voyageurs Cup in front of a record-breaking Canadian Championship crowd in Vancouver (of 24,307 fans).

The win secures the Whitecaps’ spot in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, the annual continental club competition featuring the best 16 teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Win Canadian Championship

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Win Canadian Championship

Here’s how the match played out:

The ‘Caps opened the scoring in the 19th minute when forward Brian White headed in his third goal of the tournament to make it 1-0. Toronto FC would look to build momentum in possession, but Vancouver’s compact defending fended off every opportunity.

However, Toronto would find an equalizer in the second half. Following a corner, a short pass placed by Nelson connected to Federico Bernardeschi, who’s curled cross found Lukas MacNaughton inside the area, with the defender heading in the equalizer in the 75th minute to make it 1-1.

As the play progressed, White sent in a short pass to substitute Tosaint Ricketts, who’s strike was strongly saved by Alex Bono, sending the match to a shootout. Vancouver would hit all five of their shots in the shootout, with only Toronto’s Jonathan Osorio hitting the post. Defender Tristan Blackmon would then score the shootout winner to give the ‘Caps their second Voyageurs Cup in club history!

Whitecaps FC qualify for the 2023 Concacaf Champions League

Whitecaps FC qualify for the 2023 Concacaf Champions League

This will mark the third time in club history that the ‘Caps play in the Champions League, after first qualifying for the 2015-16 edition, before making a run to the semifinals in the following 2016-17 tournament.

The Concacaf Champions League is the regional competition to crown the best club in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean – similar to the UEFA Champions League in Europe – sending the victor to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Teams that have already qualified for the 2023 Concacaf Champions League include:

Liga MX (Mexico)

  • Atlas FC (2021 Apertura and 2022 Clausura champions)
  • Tigres UANL (best ranked team on aggregate table)
  • Club León (2021 Apertura runners-up)
  • CF Pachuca (2022 Clausura runners-up

Caribbean (Haiti)

  • Violette (2022 Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship champions)

Still to qualify for 2023 are the champions of the U.S. Open Cup, as well as three guaranteed teams from MLS including the winner of MLS Cup, the Supporters Shield, and the Eastern or Western Conference regular season champion who does not win the Supporters Shield. The final six qualifiers will emerge from the 2022 Concacaf League.

2023 will be the final year of the current format for the Concacaf Champions League, featuring 16 teams in a knockout format. Starting in 2024, a revised format will be introduced featuring 27 teams with additional qualifying pathways from the Leagues Cup (a tournament that will include every club from MLS and Liga MX), the Central American Cup, and the Caribbean Football Union Cup.

Nchem?u?s Day at Presentation House Theatre

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The public is invited to a fun day of sharing with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders, artists and storytellers on August 25th for Nchem?u?s Day at Presentation House Theatre (“PHT”) in North Vancouver.

Nchem?u?s Day - Original artwork by Xwalacktun
Nchem?u?s Day – Original artwork by Xwalacktun

Celebrating “people coming together”, this free annual community event features artwork unveilings, a carving demonstration, traditional and untraditional storytelling, stand-up comedy, and the chance to join in some friendly rivalry in the ancient Indigenous game of Slahal.

This year’s event offers a public glimpse into the deep ongoing work taking place at PHT to strengthen relationships with neighbouring Indigenous communities, and to learn, unlearn and decolonize company practices and procedures.

Participating Squamish Nation leaders and artists include Chief Ian Campbell, Chief Janice George and Willard “Buddy” Joseph, Elder Lisa Lewis, Elder Sam Seward, Keith Nahanee, Knowledge Keeper Rebecca Duncan with Spakwus Slolem, Xwalacktun, and Swalklanexw Dallas Guss

Over the years, PHT has worked with each of these artists individually developing collaborative projects and commissioning artwork for its spaces. Nchem?u?s Day marks the first time all of the artists will come together at the theatre

Nchem?u?s Day at Presentation House Theatre

  • When: August 25, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
  • Where: Presentation House Theatre (333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver)
  • Admission: Free! Register online in advance, walk-ups welcome

The event‘s open house format allows people to move between various sessions and activities at their own pace.

Beanstock Coffee Festival in Vancouver

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Canada’s leading independent festival of third-wave coffee, Beanstock Coffee Festival, makes its long-awaited return to Vancouver on August 20-21. The festival invites coffee enthusiasts from Vancouver and beyond to connect with local specialty coffee roasters, sample some of the best specialty coffee in Western Canada, and learn about the importance of socially responsible brews.

Beanstock Coffee Festival in Vancouver
Beanstock – Photo submitted.

Beanstock Coffee Festival

  • When: August 20 & 21, 2022
    • Morning 8:00am to 12:00pm; Afternoon 1:00pm to 5:00pm
    • Beanstock Happy Hour with Absolut and Kahlua 5:00pm to 7:00pm
  • Where: Roundhouse in Yaletown (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver)
  • Tickets: Available online now for $33-55.
    • Regular tickets include: All you can drink coffee, a Beanstock ceramic tasting cup, entrance to the Beanstock Happy Hour, two 100g sample bags of coffee. The Weekend Pass includes access to both days, both sessions, and the happy hour.

Following sold-out events in 2017, 2018 and 2019 in Toronto and Vancouver, this year’s festival will feature specialty coffee roasters like Vancouver’s Pallet Coffee Roasters, House of Funk, and Nemesis Coffee, among others.

For all festival-goers interested in learning more about the best way to brew exceptional coffee at home, Beanstock’s Home Brewing Demo, presented by Breville Canada, offers hands-on learning from pro baristas and an up-close look at the latest in home brewing equipment.

At the Greenhouse Stage sponsored by Danone’s Silk plant-based products, guests can also expect in-depth conversations in coffee exploring coffee producers, origins and sustainability, as well as a vibrant marketplace, an outdoor lounge, food trucks and a Cold Brewery sampling station.

The weekend also marks the Specialty Coffee Association’s Canadian National Barista Championship Finals where Canada’s representative for the World Barista Championship will be chosen.

Beanstock Coffee Festival brings together artisans and industry professionals from the specialty coffee industry for an action-packed weekend of unlimited coffee tastings and coffee know-how. Unique one-of-a-kind specialty coffees are prepared by pros for sampling, and paired with educational workshops, demonstrations and competitions.

Win a Westin Bayshore Staycation

Comments 150 by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Review — Stay was compliments of the Westin Bayshore. Views expressed are those of the author. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

The afternoon was spent sipping on coconutty cocktails while sitting by the pool under glittering fairy lights and palm trees, with the sounds of beachgoers strolling the seaside path beyond the hedge. That evening, we had tickets to a live show at the theatre in the park, which we’d walk to after dinner on the patio. It might sound like we were on some tropical vacation, but in fact I was just a few minutes from home in Downtown Vancouver.

Westin Bayshore Views - Miss604 Photo
Westin Bayshore Views – Miss604 Photo

The Westin Bayshore just has that effect though: It feels like a real vacation, a total getaway, but you’re still right in the heart of our vibrant city.

Westin Bayshore Staycation

You can balance out your stay at the resort with a mix of good eats and drinks at H2 Kitchen + Bar or H Tasting Lounge (I also started every morning with some To Die For banana bread and a coffee from T&Co Cafe), along with some fun an engaging activities.

Good eats at Westin Bayshore - Miss604 Photo
Good eats at Westin Bayshore – Miss604 Photo

There’s morning yoga in the outdoor pool with Just Add Water Yoga, there’s also an indoor pool, a Peloton® + WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, and Vida Spa.

Westin Bayshore Pool Time - Miss604 Photo
Westin Bayshore Pool Time – Miss604 Photo

The resort also has complimentary bike rentals for guests. When I took mine out around the Seawall and I stopped to take a photo, a couple visiting from New Jersey, staying at another hotel, said they wished they would have known about the complimentary guest bikes since they would have booked the Westin Bayshore instead. So, now you know!

Bike Westin - Miss604 Photo
Bike Westin – Miss604 Photo

Have I mentioned the views yet? Well, not to leave the best for last but really, you can’t beat the unobstructed views from this waterfront resort. Sunrises – check. Sunsets – you bet. Who’s spending the morning sipping coffee while watching floatplanes take off and land – that’s me. There’s really no comparison in the city!

Westin Bayshore Views - Miss604 Photo
Westin Bayshore Views – Miss604 Photo

Enter to Win

I want to share all of this staycation goodness with you by giving away a one-night stay and a $100 dining credit to H2 Kitchen + Bar! Here’s how you can enter to win:

Westin Bayshore Staycation

Subject to availability and blackout dates applicable. Gift certificate expiration is a year from the contest end date.