On November 22, 2004 I wrote my first blog post. It didn’t start out by saying I was going to be a blogger now. Instead, I talked about the rain and how I liked to go for walks with my sister in the the aforementioned rain. 15 years later, while I no longer provide recaps of The Amazing Race or talk about the DVD I just rented, I still talk about the city, going for walks, and my family. I had no idea what I started way back then, but I knew it was something I wanted to do every day.
Please join me on November 14, 2019 to celebrate this thing I created, that I hope has become a part of your life in Vancouver as well:
Celebrate 15 Years of Miss604
Where: Timber (1300 Robson at Jervis, Vancouver) When: Thursday, November, 14, 2019 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Tickets: A limited number of $20 early bird tickets are available until October 8th then regular tickets will be $26.04.
Tickets include admission, a drink ticket (Red Racer Beer or wine), canapés crafted by Timber (including a s’mores bar) and a door prize ticket.
Proceeds from the incredibly STUFFED raffle and silent auction will be donated to Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC, who will be on site as well.
Prizes include goodies from: The Cultch, DanceHouse, Disney on Ice, Early Music Vancouver, Forage, Gateway Theatre, H2 Rotisserie & Bar, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, PuSh Festival, Rob Cole Stretch Therapy, TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Christmas Market, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver TheatreSports, Vancouver Whitecaps, and more!
It hasn’t always been easy. It’s been an evolution (like when that whole “social media thing” started a few years in). But it’s been oh-so-rewarding. This is my 9,707th blog post. I’d love to write another 9,707 more, especially if it means I can continue to support the community that I love. I hope to see you on November 14th for the #Miss604Party!
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — This experience was courtesy of Harbour Air and Tofino Resort & Marina. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Living in Downtown Vancouver, I walked to the seaplane terminal in Coal Harbour on a bright and sunny September morning, hopped on the Vancouver/Tofino flight, and in an hour I was walking up the resort dock as the waters of Clayoquot Sound lapped at the Cessna Caravan’s pontoons.
To get around town, and across the West Coast of Vancouver Island’s sandy beaches, I borrowed a bike from the resort. No idling, no wait times, no parking — a getaway like this was so peaceful, and it put me into vacation mode right away!
Here are some of the photos I was able to take during my journey:
Photo Gallery: Flying to Tofino with Harbour Air
I’ve flown Harbour Air to Comox, Sechelt, Nanaimo and Victoria before but this was the first time I crossed the spine of Vancouver Island — at about 11,000ft — in a seaplane.
I love island-spotting from the air. I can recognize each of the Gulf Islands pretty well, and those I don’t get searched on Google Maps.
I haven’t been able to identify this island, does anyone know which it is?
Flying back into Vancouver, it’s always fun to soar above Stanley Park and take some shots of the ever-changing skyline. It’s a flight-seeing tour/photo op rolled into the convenience of getting you from A to B.
About the Tofino Seaplane Route
The Vancouver/Tofino route will operate until October 14th then it will shut down for the season, resuming April 18, 2020. In the meantime, you can still take a floatplane to Nanaimo with Harbour Air’s Fly + Drive package. Fares start at $69 per person (one-way) and get include deals on a rental car ($35 day rate with unlimited kilometers).
Guest post contributed and written by Jen Murtagh.
Mandy Balak has been able to create a community of women all across Canada in her business, The ACE Class and now, she and her team are bringing The RISE Conference to Vancouver, held at the beautiful Pipe Shop in North Vancouver from October 25-27, 2019.
RISE Conference
Where: The Pipe Shop (115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver) When: Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, 2019 Tickets: Available online now. Use promo code MISS604 to enjoy 15% off.
Conference attendees will immerse themselves in real-life workshops, hear from world-class and inspirational speakers and meet participants from across Canada and the United States. This is not just any ordinary conference but a life-changing opportunity to surround yourself with individuals who want to grow, level up and reach for more.
I had the opportunity to connect with the inspirational founder of RISE, Mandy Balak and learn more about the program, purpose and her drive to facilitate meaningful connection amongst women.
Jen: What was your personal drive behind creating RISE?
Mandy: RISE is about building community and connection. It’s a space and place for women to share their authentic stories which can be vulnerable but ultimately what connects us with one another. RISE enables women to go deeper and take time out of their busy schedules to focus on self – their growth, both personally and professionally. RISE is about leveling up, talking about failures and connecting deeper with your community. Women attending RISE will be given tangible tools to implement in their life and make an impact. It is a holistic content experience.
Jen: Who are you most looking forward to hearing from at the RISE Conference and why?
Mandy: Everyone! We have such an amazing line up of speakers and a lot of home-grown Vancouver talent! Danielle LaPorte has made such an impact on my life. Her book the Firestarter Sessions pretty much changed my life and the way I operate my businesses. I have also been lately girl crushing on Sarah Nicole Landry, who is better known as ‘thebirdspapaya’ on Instagram. She really makes people think and reflect on their body image and really how we feel about ourselves can hold us back from truly living. We often think we are not enough because of how we look or feel in our bodies and Sarah really puts herself out there and owns her entire self, it’s pretty inspiring. Mark Groves (relationships) and Selina Gray (money) will also be two crowd favourites.
Jen: In your own experience and in connecting with all different kinds of women, what do you see as the key things holding women back from rising?
Mandy: Honestly, ourselves. We all hold ourselves back. We just need to get out of our own way and to decide to rise for ourselves. Sometimes it’s as simple as choosing to get out of bed every day, overcoming what failures you may have had and push through. I think women let fear dictate a lot in their lives and trying to overcome that and push forward can be revolutionary. At RISE, we create opportunities for women to accept themselves and invite them to move forward, surrounded by like-minded women. No one is alone at RISE.
Jen: The foundation of a lot of your businesses has been built on connection. Why is deep and meaningful connection so important to you?
Mandy: There are times in my life when I have felt really alone. I moved to Calgary from Vancouver and even eight years into my life in Calgary, I still felt alone. I think working in entrepreneurial spaces can sometimes be lonely. I felt this deep need to bring women together, to learn and connect and share stories. I also was trying to build a tribe for myself. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to be seen and feel valued.
Jen: What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Mandy: I would tell myself to choose wisely about who you surround yourself with. I would advise my 21-year-old self to care less about hanging out with “cool” people or trendy places and spend more time with mentors and people you truly look up to.
Jen: What three things do you hope women come away with after attending The RISE Conference?
Mandy:
A feeling of being more connected to themselves and others.
That they feel more called towards their purpose and impact they can make in their communities.
Take action that day to implement changes in their life, even if it’s just one thing.
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to The RISE Conference Oct 25-27 powered by @TheAceClass_ http://ow.ly/xDaV30pEvpo” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, October 10, 2019.
Miss604 is a media partner of The RISE Conference 2019
Alice falls down the rabbit hole again. Only this time, she is older and things aren’t what they seem. But then, what could she expect, wandering through a grand graveyard at night on Halloween? Join Alice in Nightmareland at the Stanley Park Ghost Train from October 11 to 31, 2019.
Stanley Park Ghost Train. Photo by Tim Matheson
Stanley Park Ghost Train
Alice falls down the rabbit hole again. Only this time, she is older and things aren’t what they seem. But then, what could she expect, wandering through a grand graveyard at night on Halloween?
Follow Alice and the Not-So-White Rabbit through an endless series of stone doors and enter into a gothic nightmare world of tombs and tombstones, crypts, and catacombs!
Artwork by Lauchlin Johnston
Opening Hours The Ghost Train is open October 11 to 31, 2019.
Monday to Thursday, 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Friday to Sunday, 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day (October 14) in the evening
Note: Though Stanley Park Ghost Train is a family-friendly event, they suggest parental guidance for children. For a less scary experience, try the daily matinée train. This is a fright-free experience that has all the props and decor of the after-dark event, minus the live performers in the plaza.
Little Monsters Matinée Train
Friday to Sunday: 11:00am to 5:00pm (last train at 5:00pm)
Open Thanksgiving Day (October 14)
No spooky actors or live performances. Unlimited rides between 11:00am and 2:00pm Friday to Sunday.
The Ghost Train experience also features a haunted maze, pumpkin patch, hands-on activities and tours by Stanley Park Ecology Society, storytellers, crafts and movies, plus food vendors such as The Looking Glass Canteen and Café, Insomniac’s Coffee, Organic Villa for plant-based options, organic popcorn from the CobHouse, and more.
Tickets
You must buy a ticket to ride the train. Your ticket is valid for one Ghost Train ride and other attractions in the plaza.
BOGO! Buy one ticket online for select weekday dates in October and get another one free. Visit on October 15, 16, 21, and 22 to take advantage of this scream of a deal.
TIPS: Book online in advance to save time and to avoid sold out rides. Avoid the crowds and come out Monday to Thursday in the first two weeks.
The Ghost Train has on-site and overflow parking lots. All parking is free.
Follow the Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train #GhostTrainYVR on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Charity Partner
When you visit Ghost Train, please give generously to our partner charity the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society by bringing a nutritious, non-perishable food item.
Win Tickets
I have a 4 pack of tickets to give away, here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets the Stanley Park Ghost Train @ghost_trainYVR #GhostTrainYVR http://ow.ly/gewc30pErPK” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. The winner can attend between October 11-17, 2019, based on availability.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by WAMS BC Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
The Women Against MS (WAMS) Luncheon is an annual networking event in support of one of Canada’s leading health charities, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. On November 22nd, join 400 leading professionals, from a wide range of industries, in support of the movement to end MS.
Women Against MS Luncheon
When: Friday, November 22, 2019
VIP reception at 11:00am
Lunch and presentations 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (900 W Georgia St, Vancouver)
Speaker: Zahra Al-Harazi, Entrepreneur and Transformative Leadership Expert.
Honouree: Christine Sinclair, 3-time Olympian and Canadian Women’s soccer team captain.
In addition to raising funds for MS research and support, the WAMS Luncheon is an excellent networking event that provides table purchasers and sponsors high profile exposure. The luncheon attracts leading professionals and organizations from a wide range of industries in support of the movement to end MS.
The Facts About MS
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, and women get MS three times more often than men. MS is unpredictable and often disabling, and the average diagnosis is between 14 and 40 years.
Women Against MS (WAMS) is a powerful network of women building MS awareness and raising research funds to end MS. Since launching in Vancouver in 2015, WAMS has raised over $500,000 towards a new generation of ground-breaking Canadian researchers working together to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
We are in the midst of a remarkable era in research, and with your support, our learnings will continue and translate to real, tangible impacts. Follow WAMS BC on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
