CBC Virtual Town Hall on Racism

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

CBC is hosting a public virtual town hall on racism on June 17th hosted by CBC journalists Lien Yeung and Angela Sterritt. Joined by several expert panelists from the community, the town hall aims to address systemic racism in the workplace, the media and in day to day interactions.

CBC Racism Town Hall

CBC Virtual Town Hall on Racism

When: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Where: Watch, listen and participate on CBC Radio One, Facebook, CBC Gem

Panelists include:

  • Manjot Bains, Writer and Former Senior Program Advisor in the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives program of the Department of Canadian Heritage 
  • Annette Henry, David Lam Chair in Multicultural Education; Professor, Faculty of Education and Social Justice Institute, UBC
  • Parker Johnson, SFU/Elevate Inclusion Strategies 
  • Jahmira Lovemore-White, co-founder of Black Mutual Aid B.C., organizer with Black Lives Matter 
  • Bowinn Ma, NDP MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale 
  • Jeska Slater, Skookum Lab 
  • Adrienne Smith, trans activist and human rights lawyer 
  • Sgt. Valerie Spicer, VPD Diversity & Indigenous Relations Unit
  • Kory Wilson, Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships at BCIT 

They want to hear from you:
What’s your experience with racism? 
What changes do you want to see?
What can you do to be anti-racist?

Share your thoughts on these topics in two ways:

1. In advance of the town hall, send your stories, questions and comments via email ([email protected]) and telephone through the The Early Edition talk-back line (604) 662-6690. A producer may reach out to you for more information so please let them know how to contact you.

2. During the Town Hall, the public are invited to submit their questions, stories and feedback by calling 1-800-825-5950 or (604) 669-3733 or commenting on Facebook Live.

A recording of the town hall will also be made available on Facebook and CBC Gem after the event. 

Manning Park is Now Open for Summer 2020

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Manning Park is officially ready to reopen for the summer, welcoming guests back to enjoy their campgrounds and cabins, canoeing on the lakes, and more.

Rainbow Bridge at Lightning Lake - Manning Park Resort Photo
Rainbow Bridge at Lightning Lake – Manning Park Resort Photo

Manning Park is Now Open

The Resort’s accommodations with its newest Premium cabins, lodge rooms, Standard cabins and chalets are open for reservations. Food service is available at the Pinewoods Dining Room and the outdoor patio for dine-in and take-out; as well as the Country Store.

“We think our guests are going to be really excited to get out and explore their local area this spring and summer,” says General Manager, Vern Schram, “Manning Park Resort offers a great opportunity to get some exercise and fresh air while staying comfortably either in the Resort or camping. Our cabin facilities are perfect for a family getaway, and we have a lot more availability for this summer, as most of our group and wedding reservations have postponed their events into the future.”

The Lodge - Manning Park Resort Photo
The Lodge – Manning Park Resort Photo

To comply with stringent housekeeping processes, some availability in the Resort is altered, and the Loon Lagoon Pool and Last Resort group facility are not open. They are hoping to resume operations in the Bear’s Den July 1st.

The trails are open for hiking and mountain biking and the boathouse has opened seven days a week for canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. With over 300km of hiking trails, it’s easy to stay naturally socially distant, while finding space to connect with your family.

More trail information can be found at the Visitor Centre which is open weekends in June. Interpretive programs are scheduled to go ahead as planned, with some minor changes to group size and schedule. These free programs that introduce people of all ages to the flora and fauna in the park, will begin in July.

The EC Manning Provincial campgrounds are starting to open in the park, with Coldspring and Mule Deer campgrounds open for reservations, and for first come, first serve walk-ins.

Lightning Lake and the first loop of Hampton campgrounds are scheduled to open later this month. Parts of Hampton will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to an excessive amount of hazard trees.

Manning Park Resort is a year-round destination resort surrounded by many recreational activities including hiking, biking and canoeing. With full Resort amenities including a variety of accommodations, restaurant, pub, swimming pool, fitness centre, and group facilities.

The Resort is nestled in beautiful EC Manning Provincial Park, 45 minutes east of Hope (2.5 hours from Vancouver) on Hwy 3.

Manning Park Fall Bollwitt

Related: Manning Park Dark Sky Astronomy Weekend, Snowshoeing at Manning Park Resort

5 Things to do on Father’s Day in Metro Vancouver

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Good food, sweet treats, wine and some crafts. Getting creative with this year, with COVID19 safety measures in place, there are a few in-person activities that you can enjoy on Father’s Day in Metro Vancouver this Sunday, June 21st.

5 Things to do on Father’s Day in Metro Vancouver

All events require advance ticket purchases, click the link in the titles for the ticket site.

Central City Fun Park Collage of attractions like mini golf and bowling

Central City Fun Park
When: Fri 5:00pm to 11:00pm; Sat 6:00pm to 11:00pm; Sun 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: 11125 124 Street #100A, Surrey (near Scott Rd Station)

Check out Metro Vancouver’s largest indoor amusement park! Book a time slot and enjoy bowling, mini golf, roller skating, arcade games and more with dad this weekend. All guests must purchase tickets ($20) prior to arrival. Tickets include a designated entrance time & $20 Fun Card. Access is limited to 20 people per hour. Max stay is 2 hours.

poutine

A Taste of the PNE: Car-B-Q Edition
When: June 18-21, 2020 from 11:00am to 3:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Where:
 Enter PNE near Gate 6 (north of the Pacific Coliseum) on Renfrew

Enjoy A Taste of the PNE: CAR-B-Q Edition at this latest drive-thru event featuring options for a mouth-watering BBQ meal, plus a classic and custom car show presented by 360 Fabrication. For this event you can build your own meal package, choosing from pork ribs from Prairie BBQ / Gator BBQ, poutine from The Fry Guys / UnRoutine Poutine, mac & cheese from REEL Mac and Cheese, and Coca Cola bottled drinks.

Mini Donuts

Abbotsford Agrifair Mini Donut Drive-Thru
When: June 19-21, 2020 from 11:00am to 7:00pm
Where: Agrifair grounds (32470 Haida Dr, Abbotsford)

Following the recent success of “A Taste of the PNE: Mini Donut Edition,”Agrifair is excited to bring you the Donut Drive Thru featuring “BC’s Best Mini Donuts.”  Partnering with these four food vendors, the mini donut drive thru is offering you the unique opportunity to grab bags of mini donuts from each, so you can compare and decide which is your favourite. A standard pack of 24 donuts (6 from each vendor) is $20, a family pack of 48 donuts (12 from each vendor) is $35. Each ticket will include two passes to Agrifair 2021 opening day.

Township 7 Wine

South Langley Wine & BBQ
When: Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm
Where: Township 7 Winery (21152 16 Ave, Langley)

Treat dad to a fun afternoon in the vineyard with a Southern inspired bbq provided by Truckin’ BBQ. Enjoy finger licking cuisine and delicious wine, along with live music by Juno award winning indie musician Ryan McAllister.  Menu options include a glass of red or white wine along with your choice of 1 of the following from the Truckin’ BBQ.

  • pulled pork or beef brisket sandwich with fries, or 
  • beef brisket or pulled pork poutine, or 
  • dine retro style with deep fried mac and cheese bites or deep fried pickles with fries

Adults $35 plus tax and children $20 plus tax, with three seatings available. Space is limited, book today.

Father’s Day Rustic Signs
When: Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: The Painted Loft (19955 Fraser Hwy, Langley)

Create a rustic wood sign, while having a drink and socializing with family in a fun, energetic atmosphere. Guests are welcome to bring in food and BYOB. Water, coffee & tea will also be available. All materials and instruction will be provided for you. The instructor takes the group step-by-step. No skills necessary, just enjoy your time, relax and create. Masks and sanitizer available for your comfort and safety.

BONUS check out these classes from Maker Cube in Langley that include everything from laser cutting and woodwork to pottery.

Related: Local Father’s Day Gift Boxes

Father’s Day BBQ Drive-Thru at the PNE

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The PNE has announced it will be hosting a Father’s Day BBQ drive-thru as its second event supporting its concessionaires. Join “A Taste of the PNE – Car-B-Q Edition” June 18-21, 2020 at Hastings Park.

BBQ Drive Through PNE

Father’s Day BBQ Drive-Thru at the PNE

When: June 18-21, 2020 from 11:00am to 3:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Where:
Enter PNE near Gate 6 (north of the Pacific Coliseum) on Renfrew
Tickets: Purchases include two tickets to the opening day of the 2021 PNE Fair. Prices are: $29 for one rack of ribs (plus two tickets to the 2021 Fair) and sides of mac and cheese or poutine can be purchased for $12 each. Entrance to the drive-thru car show is free with your food purchase.

The event features the two Canadian concessionaires from the annual Fair Ribfest area, Smith family of Ontario with Gator’s Barbeque and Reinhardt family of Saskatchewan with Prairie Smoke.

Attendees will also be able to support local family concessionaires Pary and Suzanne Poudier of Reel Mac and Cheese with a choice of two of their most popular PNE Fair mac and cheese favourites as well as Carlie and Scott Dennis of The Fry Guys with an iconic Canadian side, poutine.

The PNE wanted to add a special programming element that will be sure to get dad’s engine running – the first ever indoor drive-thru car show, presented by Canada’s largest hot rod shop, 360 Fabrication of Abbotsford. Attendees will drive across the Pacific Coliseum floor where they will see dozens of amazing classic, vintage, muscle and hot rods from across the region on display.

The event will be staged in flights, with ticket purchasers picking their day, flight time and favourite rib concessionaire and sides in advance through TicketLeader.ca. Full social distancing protocols developed in consultation with Vancouver Coastal Health will be adhered to throughout the fun weekend event.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Reopening

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s one of the most popular attraction in the province and now the date is set for the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park reopening! Starting June 19th, you can book your tickets for entry on a specific date at a specific time, in order to limit the number of guests at the Park at any one time.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Reopening

When: Reopening Friday, June 19, 2020. Open 9:00am to 6:00pm daily.
Admission: Book tickets online in advance for a specific time slot.

Additional safety measures are:

  • To ensure physical distancing and sanitization standards are maintained, new COVID-19 related safety signage features Scout, the safety squirrel, throughout the Park.
  • Guests will explore the Park in a one-way direction. Suspension Bridge traffic will alternate regularly.
  • Hand sanitizer stations are located in multiple locations throughout the Park, including all attractions. Increased sanitization practices are in place.
  • Guests may not enter the Park if they display any symptoms of COVID-19.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park BC Annual Pass holders will have the exact amount of time left on their passes as they did March 17, 2020. No days will be lost. Pass holders will need to book their times too, and can do so here.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

To enhance the park experience, the Park will feature live music, Raptors Ridge Birds of Prey and a new Kids’ Rainforest Explorer app will be available for download on your mobile devices.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will again be offering its free shuttle this summer running to and from downtown Vancouver every 30 minutes. Physical distancing measures will be in place with restricted seating.

The Bridge House Cafe is also offering a car-hop/take-out menu. The Trading Post gift shop will reopen later in the summer.