For the 19th consecutive year, the Kingsway Vancouver and Richmond Centre White Spot locations will do something very special for their community over the holidays. For 2020, they’re offering White Spot Christmas Day Takeout, in support of two local charities.
White Spot Christmas Day Takeout for Charity
The limited edition takeout menu (view PDF here) includes Butternut Squash Soup, or a traditional roast turkey dinner, White Spot’s famous burgers (including the Avocado Impossible™ Burger), family takeout bundles, pumpkin pie dessert and more.
All net proceeds, including gratuities will be donated, from White Spot Christmas Day Takeout at these locations will be donated:
Where: Richmond Centre (Unit 1902 – 6551 No. 3 Road) When: Wednesday, December 25, 2020 from 11:00am to 3:00pm Cause: Richmond Hospital Foundation
Richmond Hospital Foundation, is a registered charity, dedicated to ensuring donors’ dollars have 100 percent impact on improving health care in Richmond. We work closely with our doctors and health care teams as well as hospital leadership to ensure donations are directed to areas of greatest need.
Where: Kingsway (1476 Kingsway at Knight Street) When: Wednesday, December 25, 2020 from 11:00am to 3:00pm Cause: Variety – The Children’s Charity
Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children with special needs in BC. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured that children have the support to reach their potential and thrive.
Follow White Spot on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on their latest menu offerings and promotions.
There are two types of otter species you might find around Vancouver: First is the more elusive Sea Otter, like the Internet-famous rescued pup Joey at the Vancouver Aquarium, which is mainly found on the west coast of Vancouver Island and further north along the BC coast. Second, there are the River Otters in Lost Lagoon and surrounding bodies of water.
River Otters in Lost Lagoon
This past weekend while out for a stroll in the neighbourhood, John and I came across the otters in Lost Lagoon who were splashing, swimming, and snacking on something delectable they found in the reeds. I was pretty thrilled since, as a runner who gets into the park far more often than me, John has seen much more wildlife in Stanley Park than I have. He’s spotted coyotes, otters, eagles, beavers, and more.
“We suspect the otters have multiple feeding sites in areas of the Park other than Lost Lagoon [Ch’ekxwa’7lech], as they are frequently spotted resting and playing along the seawall and on Siwash Rock [Slhx̱í7lsh], and have been known to hunt other mammals and birds along Beaver Creek,” notes the Stanley Park Ecology Society.
“The river otter’s strong tail and elongated body make it a terrific swimmer, and their excellent vision make them comfortable hunting in the water just as easily as on land. They can stay under water for up to eight minutes and can close their ears and nostrils to keep out water. You’ll see river otters not only in the lakes of Stanley Park, but also swimming along its beaches.”
Here are a few more differences between the two otters: “Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water,” according to the Ocean Conservancy.
“Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. They even have the adorable habit of floating on their backs, even while they’re eating, and have been known to hold hands with each other while sleeping so they don’t drift apart from their pals.”
The next time you’re out and about around Lost Lagoon, look for some movement in the reeds, and follow the trail of bubbles in the water, and you might just spot these playful creatures. Be sure to keep your distance to respect the wildlife.
Dan’s Legacy is a non-profit organization I’ve been proud to support for the past few years, and they’re making a difference in the lives of young people in our community who are facing the world alone.
They support youth who grew up in the foster care system, and those aging out of government care at 19. Because of significant trauma in their childhoods, they’re dealing with mental health and addictions issues, and things have only gotten worse with COVID.
Anxiety, depression and hospitalization for overdose and suicide attempts have gone up 50%. It’s a tough reality – but Dan’s Legacy’s team of therapists are there for the youth.
Loretta S. Todd’s Monkey Beach, starring Grace Dove (The Revenant) and Adam Beach (Windtalkers), will have its Canadian streaming premiere on Wednesday, January 6, 2020, as part of Crave’s 2021 lineup.
Monkey Beach Stills by Ricardo Hubbs
Monkey Beach on Crave
Directed by Loretta S. Todd and based on the novel of the same name by Eden Robinson, Monkey Beach follows a young Indigenous woman who returns to her hometown to face the harrowing visions that have haunted her throughout her life and to claim her ancestral medicine.
Monkey Beach is set in the magnificent forests and waterways of the Pacific Northwest and the Haisla village of Kitamaat and features an all-star cast of Indigenous talent including Grace Dove (The Revenant), Adam Beach (Windtalkers), Nathanial Arcand (FBI: Most Wanted), Joel Oulette (Trickster), Glen Gould (Cold Pursuit), Sera-Lys McArthur (Outlander), Stefany Mathias (Pathfinder), Tina Lameman (Mixed Blessings), Miika Bryce Whiskeyjack (Red Snow), Ta’Kaiya Blaney (Kayak to Klemtu) and Nick Dangeli.
In bringing Eden Robinson’s beloved novel to the screen, Director Loretta S. Todd offers us a modern epic underpinned by themes that have long defined heroic journeys. Todd’s first feature narrative unfolds through a thrilling array of temporal shifts and stylistic flourishes. A film about reconnection with the land, its denizens and the secrets it holds, Monkey Beach is also a testament to Indigenous women’s ability to not just endure trials but emerge from them empowered.
The film was the opening night film at the 2020 Vancouver International Film Festival (“VIFF“), screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (“TIFF”) Industry Selects and was an official selection of the 2020 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. Monkey Beach has garnered awards at international festivals including Red Nation in Los Angeles and the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco.
The critically acclaimed homegrown feature film was also picked up by Cineplex and Landmark theatres across the country and was the #1 Canadian film at the box office for 4 weeks.
Monkey Beach was made possible with the support of Telefilm Canada, Bell Media’s Crave, CBC Films, APTN, CAVCO, Canada Media Fund, Creative BC and was Produced in Association with and Special Thanks to the HAISLA NATION and the NECHAKO-KITAMAAT DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY.
One week until Christmas and holiday planning for (distanced, virtual) activities is in full swing. Whether you’re looking for online theatre and music, or drive through options, I’ve got you covered with this week’s list of things to do in Vancouver this weekend:
