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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Kal Tire Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
As a driver, I think back to my childhood and road trips with my family and the absolute trust and comfort I had in my parents driving our family van. How I would drift off counting highway lines as mountains, forests or coastlines sailed on by until we reached our destination. It’s the comfort and trust I hope to instil for all of my passengers, anytime John gets into the car to do an IKEA run with me or I head out on a getaway with my friends. Thanks to Kal Tire, I know of a few simple steps I can take to ensure a smooth and safe ride for all:
Safety Tips from Kal Tire
Inspect your tires regularly. They are literally your vehicle’s point of contact with the road so they play a crucial part in your safety. Do a tire pressure check or even a visual inspection of a tread.
All Season tires are not All Weather tires. In many provinces (BC included) you are required to have winter tires for major highways from October to April. Make sure you have the right tires on your vehicle.
All season tires are designed for warm, dry and mild wet conditions in temperatures above +7C. Winter tires are needed for traction in cold temperatures, once it starts to dip below +7C, as well as snow, ice and slush. All weather tires are winter designated, bearing the mountain snowflake symbol, but can also be driven year-round without wearing prematurely in the summer — eliminating the need for tire changeovers or storage.
Something I learned last summer from Mike Butcher, regional director for urban retail stores for Kal Tire, is to always make sure your spare tire is ready to go at any time. Make sure it’s there (that’s the more important step), then check that it’s inflated and can be used if needed.
Another important tip right now: During wet weather, slow down. Avoid driving through big puddles and flooding roads as you don’t know how deep the water might be. If you’re going to fast you could also hydroplane. Hydroplaning happens when a sheet of water comes between your tires and the pavement, causing your vehicle to lose traction and sometimes even spin out of control.
Check DriveBC for the latest road conditions and events before you head out – no matter what time of year but especially right now in BC.
Transport Canada warns drivers that even if tires “look fine, they could be underinflated by as much as 20 per cent.” And it turns out a lot of Canadians could be experiencing that safety risk: In a study referenced by Transport Canada, “50 per cent of vehicles on the road in Canada have at least one tire that is either over or under-inflated by more than 10 per cent. In fact, 10 per cent of all vehicles surveyed had at least one tire under-inflated by 20 per cent.”
The best course of action is to monitor tire pressure throughout the year – not just ahead of the next road trip or when your monitoring system blinks. Kal Tire recommends checking at the outset of every trip, but it’s also good to get in the habit of checking once a month or even every time you fill up with gas.
This season I was able to get a head start on my holiday shopping when I visited Port Alberni to profile women-led small businesses. I was so inspired by each leader’s story, and their selection of amazing products – from coffee and tea, to home decor, to the jewelry, beauty, and fashion items.
You can read all about these enterprising women in my ZenSeekers story and if you’re looking for a gift, here are my five picks featuring one selection from each spot I visited:
Holiday Shopping in Port Alberni
Where:Wildflower Bakeshop Cafe (5047 Argyle St, Port Alberni) What to Get: Start your day of shopping off right with an Americano, brewed with Drumroaster Coffee beans from Cobble Hill, and a brioche donut. While you’re fuelling up, shop their wall of local products, preserves, and books.
Wildflower Cafe Port Alberni
Where:Flandangles and Gibson’s Fine Linens (3036 3rd Ave, Port Alberni). What to Get: I bought my mom a new teapot and I was eyeing the Bed Scrunchie – a unique tool that helps keep your sheets in place. There were so many goodies (from pillows to bakeware) I could have spent all day in those adjoining shops. No need to shop the big box stores when these local shops have everything you could need!
Flandangles & GIbson’s Port Alberni
Where: The Funk Trunk (4920 Cherry Creek rd, Port Alberni) What to Get: I’ve followed Smash + Tess on Instagram for a while now and I’ve never seen their rompers in store. That’s my top pick at the Funk Trunk (they’re always on trend) and they also now carry decor items and accessories including the super popular Tofino Towel.
The Funk Trunk Port Alberni
Where:Gayle’s Fashions (5262 Argyle St, Port Alberni) What to Get: Graphic sweatshirts, I am all about comfy items with a bit of a unique twist with artwork. Shackets and coatigans are also the hot items this season, and Gayle’s got the goods! You can also shop online.
Where:Finishing Touches (4558 Elizabeth St, Port Alberni) What to Get: I bought some adorable minimalist earrings made by Glee Jewelry in Victoria. I mean I could have also stayed awhile and booked some (much needed) brow shaping too. There are so many beauty and comfort items and I love that Louise also features her daughter’s glass jewelry in the shop.
Finishing Touches Port Alberni
When You Go
From the lower mainland, take BC Ferries to Nanaimo and it’s about a 1h drive from there to Port Alberni, or 2h 40m from Victoria.
While you’re in the Alberni Valley, pop by the McLean Mill National Historic Site. They have a beautiful path through the forest, a cafe and the upcoming Holiday Light Up.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Tourism New West Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Come together in the spirit of the season and Shine Bright in New West from December 1, 2021 – February 1, 2022. Everyone in the community is encouraged to put up holiday lights and engage in a variety of activities to enjoy the winter in the city.
Sponsored by the Downtown New West BIA, City of New Westminster, ReDiscoverNewWest and the New West Record, you can join Shine Bright all season long while you enjoy light displays, at-home and outdoor activities, and on stage productions.
Shine Bright New West
Highlights include the following free events and activities around Downtown New Westminster:
Shine Bright Winter Solstice Party December 21, 2021 Dance in the new season and gather with loved ones, decorate for the holidays, and enjoy good food together! This family-friendly event features light displays from ACNW Artists-in-Residence Ellie Niakan and Catherine Chan, and a dance mix from Royal City Sound. Brought to you in partnership with New Westminster Family Place and the Arts Council of New Westminster.
Shine Bright Downtown All season + special late night shopping events Downtown New Westminster will be illuminated with sparkling lights all season long. Come together for Shop Night where local businesses will be open late on December 9, 16, and 23. Each of those night there will be a photo booth, DJ spinning tunes, and more. Shop Mila + Paige, Found Boutique, The Refill Stop, Good Omen, Steel & Oak, and the River Market.
Shine Bright Light Tour & Contest Vote on your favourite light displays around town by January 1, 2022. Find a map of all of the participating displays here.
Holiday Food & Craft Market December 11-12, 2021 10:00am to 4:00pm It’s the New West Farmers Market’s 2nd Annual Holiday Food and Craft Market returns to New West City Hall. This market will feature over 80 small local businesses including preserves, alcohol, produce, gifts, food trucks, and more.
Shine Bright On Stage Productions Enhancing the full roster of activities and light displays throughout the city, the Anvil Centre will have window performances for all to enjoy along with eight separate live performances of music, dance, and magic that will take place on Level 1 and 3. Acts include local musical duo, Ed & Salve Dayo in an all-ages sing-along, Quayside voices will warm you with their pop and seasonal songs, actor Ryan Leslie Fisher will have you laughing with his Dandy show, New West Poet Laureate, Elliott Slinn and storytellers from Culture Chats will bring their poetry and stories to life!
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Ticketed Performances
Enjoy Shine Bright on stage with these ticketed performances starting at $20 for adults, $10 for students in the afternoons at the Anvil Centre, and $35 for adults and $25 for students in the evenings.
Locarno Band December 16, 2021 7:30 to 9:30pm in the Anvil Theatre
The Kerplunks December 19, 2021 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Anvil Ballroom
An Evening of Wonders December 22, 2021 9:30pm at the Anvil Theatre
RupLoops December 23, 2021 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Anvil Theatre
Seasonal Celebration with Kellie Haines with puppets December 29, 2021 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Anvil Ballroom
Triology (Miles Black, Bill Coon and Jodi Proznick) December 29, 2021 7:30pm to 9:30pm in the Anvil Ballroom
Axé Capoeira December 30, 2021 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Anvil Ballroom
Blackthorn with Shot of Scotch Vancouver Highland Dancers December 30, 2021 7:30pm to 9:30pm in the Anvil Ballroom
Win a Prize Package
I have a generous prize package to give away that includes a pair of tickets to a #ShineBrightNewWest stage production of the winner’s choice plus a $100 gift certificate for Angelina’s Dutch Corner! Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @TourismNewWest #ShineBrightNewWest prize package that includes $100 for @AngelinasNW and tickets to an @anvilctr show! http://ow.ly/ROs450H192x” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. UPDATE The winner is Mich Canon Simpson!
I can’t believe we’re here! Another year coming to an end and what a year it has been. There have been so many challenges, so many dark times, but for this holiday season, there is light. Theatres are open again, community organizations can host events and fundraisers, holiday traditions are resuming, and folks are coming together across the region to support one another. This month Miss604 is proud to sponsor Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum, the next Stanley Park Ecology Society speaker series event, and the Family Services North Shore Toy Drive. Find these events and more December events in Metro Vancouver listed below:
The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver has announced that the 29th Annual RBC JCC Sports Dinner will take place live, in-person at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver on February 23, 2022 with keynote speaker Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez. A virtual version of the event will also be broadcast to guests who are unable to attend in person or prefer to enjoy the event from home.
RBC JCC Sports Dinner Featuring Alex Rodriguez
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel Vancouver (655 Burrard St, Vancouver)
When: Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 starting at 5:00pm
Speaker Sponsor ZLC Financial has, once again, made it possible for organizers to bring an A-list personality to the Vancouver stage. Alex Rodriguez invests in world-class startups and partners with leading global companies across a variety of industries. While best known as one of the world’s greatest athletes (a 14-time MLB All-Star and a 2009 World Series Champion with the New York Yankees), for more than 25 years Alex has led a team of experts building high-growth businesses and enhancing the value of more than 30 companies in the A-Rod Corp portfolio.
Alex is also an Emmy Award-winning MLB analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN. He’s been a judge and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, mentored financially distressed ex-athletes on CNBC’s Back in the Game and currently co-hosts the podcast The Corp. Alex is committed to creating opportunities for young people to succeed, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.
Past speakers include: Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Drew Brees, Joe Montana & Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal, Sir Charles Barkley, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, Tommy Lasorda and many others.
Celebrating professional and local athletes, the RBC JCC Sports Dinner raises much-needed funds to provide scholarships and programs for members of the community who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these services. When the COVID crisis began the JCC quickly adapted to hold the community together, creating new and innovative programs that allowed children, youth and families to remain supported and connected. Proceeds from the dinner ensure no one is left behind, and helps open doors for a better tomorrow.
The Cadillac Raffle is Back x2
On the heels of last season’s popular province-wide Cadillac Raffle and 50/50 Draw, the upcoming event features not one, but two raffles, courtesy of Vehicle Sponsor Dueck Auto Group. The Ultimate Cadillac Raffle is on now with a draw date of December 20, 2021. One lucky winner will choose between two amazing Cadillacs, the remarkable 2021 Luxury XT4 or the sleek 2021 Sport CT4 AWD. Wherever you go, you could arrive in style, but only if you get your tickets before December 20, 2021. Starting at $50 a ticket.
The 50/50 Draw jackpot is over $20,000! The winner will go home with half pot just in time for the holidays. Tickets start at $10 for a 5-pack. The next Cadillac Raffle starts January 3, 2022 so check back for more details soon. Raffles are available to anyone over 19 in BC.
The legendary Live Auction will feature custom packages like a luxury cycling tour in Europe from Great Explorations, a dream soccer vacation to Glasgow Scotland with the Celtics FC, donated by Mike & Lisa Averbach, and a VIP weekend with the LA Chargers courtesy of South Street Development — who is also sponsoring the exceptional Silent Auction. The Silent Auction is open to the public and includes wonderfully curated sports memorabilia, travel experiences plus great wines and spirits from Legacy Liquor.
Miss604 is the proud Social Media Sponsor of the RBC JCC Sports Dinner
The in-person show has been carefully planned by committee members and staff currently to allow for a 50% capacity of attendance with proof of double vaccination. The recent lifting of restrictions on indoor gatherings has provided some optimism for the capacity to be increased, however the organizers are monitoring the situation and will reassess as the event date approaches.
