National Geographic Live in Vancouver: Win Tickets

Comments 52 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Vancouver Civic Theatres is bringing National Geographic Live! to Vancouver for the first time on October 10th at the Orpheum. Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim will lead the talk Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous. With amazing video recreating the lost world of the Cretaceous Era Sahara, Ibrahim will tell the story of Spinosaurus’ discovery, loss, and rediscovery, and explain what—other than its size—makes this ancient monster unique.

National Geographic Live in Vancouver

Where: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
When: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 @ 7:00pm
Tickets: From $45 available online now

National Geographic Live Vancouver

National Geographic Live is the live events division of National Geographic. With a broad roster of talent including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers and adventurers, National Geographic Live’s critically acclaimed programs have connected with audiences worldwide for over a century. In each of these cities, speakers share behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration onstage alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage.

German/Moroccan paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim, a postdoctoral scholar in vertebrate anatomy and paleontology at the University of Chicago and 2014 National Geographic Emerging Explorer, scours the deserts of North Africa for clues to life in the Cretaceous period, when the area was a large river system teeming with a profusion of diverse life. In addition to unearthing many huge dinosaur bones, he has discovered fossil footprints and a new species of flying reptile with an 18-foot wingspan that lived 95 million years ago.

Ibrahim’s remarkable story and the findings of an international team of scientists were just published in the journal Science and as a cover story for National Geographic magazine. What has been unveiled appears to be the first truly semiaquatic dinosaur, Spinosaurus aegyptiacus.

Win Tickets

I have a pair of tickets to give away courtesy of Vancouver Civic Theatres (which includes The Orpheum). Here’s how you can enter to win:

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I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Follow Vancouver Civic Theatres on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information about this event and many other shows and performances throughout the year.

Update The winner is Nancy!

Canuck Place Gift of Time: Cherie and Charlie-Anne

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Canuck Place is all about families, and over the years I’ve had the honour of introducing my dear readers to many of them. Through their stories, their laughter, their tears, and strength, they have proven what true love means.

At this year’s Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala, guests will hear from Cherie, and learn about 9 year old Charlie-Anne.

Canuck Place Gift of Time Family Story

Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala Family

Charlie-Anne is a witty and sassy 9-year-old with a wonderful sense of humour. She enjoys music, dressing up and cooking with her mother Cherie.

At only 6-months-old, Charlie-Anne was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 – a rare genetic disease. Soon after her diagnosis, Canuck Place was there with comfort and care to help her small family navigate through a journey no parent can prepare for.

With access to Canuck Place pain and symptom management and medical respite, Cherie and Charlie-Anne discovered a new community of caring individuals who they could trust and rely on.

“Canuck Place is quite literally our closest family now,” says Cherie. “They are who we lean on when we need help of any kind. Charlie’s dad and I both attend counselling there and whenever we need a break this is the only place we can trust her care with.”

The day-to-day with Charlie-Anne is busy, consisting of morning and evening physio, medications and constant suctioning. She is tube fed and sleeps with a BiPAP mask on to help her breathe. Charlie-Anne and Cherie are an inspiring team who savour every moment.

Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala

Canuck Place delivers care to over 728 newborns, teens and families across the province and through two locations: Vancouver and Abbotsford. Dedicated, professional staff and over 275 volunteers provide a vital lifeline for children and families in their greatest time of need.

You can support Canuck Place by joining the Friends of Gift of Time group in support of families like Cherie & Charlie-Anne. Donations over $1000 will be recognized at the gala on October 20, 2018 at Parq Vancouver.

Follow Canuck Place on Facebook and Twitter #LoveIsTimeless #GOTgala for more information.

Miss604 is the proud Social Media Sponsor of the Gift of Time Gala

Get Game Ready and You Could be Going to the Grey Cup

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by belair direct Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

Your face gives away a lot about how you’re feeling and when you decide to scoop a brush into some orange and black paint, swiping broad strokes across your cheeks, temple and nose, your face says: I AM A BC LIONS FAN!

Get Game Ready for the Grey Cup

Game Ready Contest

This season, belairdirect is taking Grey Cup fever to the next level by offering fans the chance to win an experience of a lifetime, with the launch of its Game Ready contest across the country. CFL fans are encouraged to get wild and creative with their face painting skills by submitting their best game-day look to the Game Ready Contest.

The winner of the belairdirect Game Ready contest will win an all-inclusive Grey Cup experience valued at up to $5,000*, which includes two tickets to the 106th Grey Cup Championship in Edmonton, a three-night stay at a hotel, transportation to and from Edmonton, gifts cards and a swag bag full of surprises.

Makeup Simplified

To help inspire creative game-day face-paint looks, belairdirect partnered with several CFL players as Beauty Gurus to guide fans in Makeup Simplified tutorial parodies, as a way to bring simplicity to the fan regiment. The simplest way to get to the Grey Cup is for fans to paint their face with makeup. Check out the Contest Simplified video including key makeup tips from some fan favourite players.

I’ve seen some pretty creative BC Lions fan makeup, and it’s even amplified with orange and black outfits, props, drums, and wigs. Show how much you love the ‘Lions this season, by submitting your Game Ready look for the contest between October 1 and November 4, 2018.

You’ll most likely do a better job than I did:

Game Ready Contest

While I don’t think I have a future in beauty blogging tutorials, your future could include a trip to the Grey Cup, good luck!

No purchase is necessary. To be eligible to win, entrants must be a legal resident of Canada and have reached the age of majority in their province of residency at their time of entry in the contest. Full contest rules and regulations are outlined here.

*Total value of the prize package will vary depending on the travel cost between the winner’s place of residence and Edmonton. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received during the contest duration. Entrants must also answer a mathematical skill-testing question to be eligible to win. The contest runs from October 1 to November 4, 2018.

Vancouver’s Newest Rooftop Garden at the Vancouver Public Library

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

In April of 2013, I climbed a ladder, poked my head through a big metal hatch, and crawled up onto the rooftop garden at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch.

Aerial Photos from News1130 Air Patrol

Alongside a small group of local media, we stood among the grass and geese as Chief Librarian Sandra Singh outlined a visionary plan to create a rooftop space for the public. A 28,000 square foot ‘garden in the sky’ serving as the perfect stage for their strategic plan announcement that includes intentions to expand community spaces, create dynamic collaboration zones, and offer high-tech creation spaces for hundreds of thousands of cardholders. Today, that vision came to fruition.

Rooftop Garden at the Vancouver Public Library

Rooftop Garden at the Vancouver Public Library

Crowds gathered at the official opening of Vancouver Public Library’s (“VPL”) central expansion this morning, taking in the exciting new spaces and rooftop views for the first time since the Central Library opened in 1995. Initially leased to the provincial government, the top two floors of the iconic Central Library building have been transformed into vibrant community spaces. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

October Events in Metro Vancouver

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

October is packed with events and activities, containing the Thanksgiving Long Weekend as well as Halloween attractions. There’s the Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train, corn mazes & pumpkin patches, Fright Nights, haunted trolley tours, spooky walks in Fort Langley, zombies, parties, improv, markets, haunted houses and many more October Events in Metro Vancouver which are listed below.

October Events in Metro Vancouver

October Events in Metro Vancouver


Jump to: Monday, October 1 to Sunday, October 7, 2018
Jump to: Monday, October 8 to Sunday, October 14, 2018
Jump to: Monday, October 15 to Sunday, October 21, 2018
Jump to: Monday, October 22 to Sunday, October 28, 2018
Jump to: Monday, October 29 to Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Multi-Day Events

Monday, October 1, 2018
Small Business BC’s INSPIRE
Vancouver International Film Festival
Les Belles-soeurs at Gateway Theatre

Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Surrey Small Business Information Expo
Métis Paddle Carving
Vancouver International Film Festival
Les Belles-soeurs at Gateway Theatre

Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Kealoha at the Chan Centre
Daniel Chimowitz Walking Canvases Exhibition Opening
Main Street Farmers Market
Paint Night Zealous Art
Vancouver International Film Festival
Les Belles-soeurs at Gateway Theatre

Thursday, October 4, 2018
Coquitlam RCMP – Volunteer Info Session
H’Arts for the Homeless
Oktoberfest at BREWHALL
An Evening of Thankfulness
Discover Dance! Company 605
Coffee with a Cop, Port Coquitlam
Santé à La Famille ft. Mission Hill
Tricksters & Transformers: An Evening of Indigenous Word
Downtown Farmers Market
Vancouver International Film Festival
Les Belles-soeurs at Gateway Theatre

Friday, October 5, 2018
October 5th Pro D-Day Painting Spooky Pumpkins
Oktoberfest at the Alpen Club
Cabaret of Wonders – Shawn Farquhar
Alien Organisms Art Show and Zine Release
Vancouver Halloween Expo
Sketching with Dinosaurs
Wine and Wood sign painting pARTy at Zealous Art
Family Paint Night
Richmond Night Market
Vancouver International Film Festival
Les Belles-soeurs at Gateway Theatre

Saturday, October 6, 2018
Oktoberfest at the Alpen Club
Stewart Birthday Party
New West Craft Fall Markets
Fort Langley Cranberry Festival
BC Lions vs Toronto Argos
Vancouver Halloween Expo
Gulf of Georgia Cannery: Free Admission Day, Salmon Science Expo
Jeremy Dutcher at the Massey Theatre
Trout Lake Farmers Market
West End Farmers Market
Riley Park Farmers Market
Richmond Night Market
Vancouver International Film Festival
Les Belles-soeurs at Gateway Theatre

Sunday, October 7, 2018
Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo
Oktoberfest at BREWHALL
Thanksgiving at the Cascade Room
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
Kitsilano Farmers Market
Richmond Night Market
Vancouver International Film Festival Continue reading this post ⟩⟩