I was sitting across from my mother at the Knight & Day on Boundary Road, ready to enjoy second breakfast in the early afternoon. When it came time to order she triumphantly flipped her menu over, in one bold gesture to proudly announce that she was going to order from the seniors’ menu.
“You’re a senior?” our server said incredulously, a smile followed. “I might have to see some ID.” My mom’s eyes lit up like a recent 19 year old getting carded at the Cold Beer & Wine. She would have proudly shown her identification, having turned 65 last May, but after an exchange of blushes and giggles, and proclaiming that she’s indeed old enough to have a child as old as I am, her order was placed.
My mother is a very proud senior and she’s been enjoying her retirement by traveling, spending time on her hobbies, and going for coffee chats with friends. One thing she’s also enjoying are seniors’ discounts so I decided to compile a list for her, that I’m happy to share here as well.
The 42 storey Landmark tower, completed in 1973, is being demolished and will be replaced by two residential towers (31 and 32 storeys). In a city where history is seemingly being bulldozed daily, I took a moment to pause and appreciate fair Roedde House (built in 1893) and the city it has lived to see grow up, fall down, and be built back up around it.
“Gustav and Matilda Roedde settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1888. He became Vancouver’s first bookbinder while working for the News Herald Newspaper. In 1890 Gustav opened the his own bookbinding business as G.A Roedde Bookbinders and by 1893 was successful enough to afford to build a house in the new West End neighbourhood. Roedde House, attributed to famed architect Francis Rattenbury, is a City of Vancouver-designated Class A Heritage House.”
If the name Rattenbury sounds familiar, it’s because he also designed the Vancouver Art Gallery (our former Court House) as well as Victoria’s Parliament Buildings and The Fairmont Empress Hotel.
1987 – Early stages of restoration. Archives# CVA 775-51.
“Since 1990, the Roedde House Preservation Society has taken painstaking care to restore and furnish the house to reflect the ambience of late Victorian family life.”
The museum is open daily (closed Mondays and Saturdays in the winter) and guided tours are just $5 and memberships are just $15 a year (individual) or $25 (family). Memberships include unlimited visits, discounts, and much more. Proceeds help the house operate as a museum, a venue for music and entertainment, and as a rental facility for small receptions. They also have a school program and an online collection of artifacts.
Check out some of the upcoming tours and concerts at Roedde House:
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC welcomes back Mexican-American vocalist Lila Downs, who will share her eclectic and vibrant blend of boleros, jazz, rock, blues, and more in the Chan Shun Concert Hall.
With proud Indigenous roots and a powerful social conscience, Downs last year released her tenth studio album, Salon Lágrimas y Deseo. This collection of works honouring iconic Latin American women won the 2017 Latin Grammy for ‘Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album’. Chan Centre audiences will be among the first to hear these empowering and uplifting anthems live.
Lila Downs is the daughter of a Mixtec woman who left her village at 19 to sing in Mexico City cantinas. Her father is a Minnesota-born, Scottish-American professor who, upon seeing Downs’ mother perform, instantly fell in love. As a result, Downs grew up in Minnesota and Oaxaca with stylistic influences from both sides of the border. Today, she is considered one of the most innovative exponents of Mesoamerican music.
Win Tickets
The Chan Centre has offered up two tickets for a lucky Miss604 reader to see Lila Downs. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to see Lila Downs at the Chan Centre at UBC on March 18th @liladowns @ChanCentre http://ow.ly/yQy330iuL8f” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Follow The Chan Centre on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information about upcoming shows.
Comments36
by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Published in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, as a part of Miss604's #ExploreCoquitlam series Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Interested in pristine hiking trails, world-class running trails and free outdoor festivals – all within easy access in Coquitlam? The city is gaining a reputation as a mighty fun place to visit, and anyone who rocked out to Bif Naked as the sun went down at Kaleidoscope Arts Festival last August can attest the community’s electric energy.
From free concerts at the amphitheatre stage to the annual lights display at Lafarge Lake, if you haven’t already jumped on the SkyTrain to Coquitlam, you can bet you’ll be doing it this year.
The city has just released their 2018 Travel & Experience Guide, which you can pick up for free in Coquitlam or read online. Start planning your Coquitlam activities this year and if you need any more inspiration, here are 5 Ways to Get Inspired by Coquitlam’s 2018 Travel Guide:
Top Parks and Trails in Coquitlam
Ask Olympian Leah Pells, considered one of the best female distance runners in Canadian history, for run route suggestions, and you might be surprised by her response. “Mundy Park is not only my favourite running spot in Coquitlam, but in the world. I love the trails. It is my healing place,” she raves.
In fact, Mundy Park is rated by TripAdvisor.ca reviewers as one of the top things to do in the city, second only to Town Centre Park, which in 2017 was named the greatest public space in Canada by the Canadian Institute of Planners. Mundy’s 400-acre coastal rainforest features two lakes and a forested trail system totalling 16 km.
Whether you’re interested in exploring new trails, hiking to new peaks, or mountain biking the trails less travelled, Coquitlam’s 2018 Travel and Experience Guide has all the information you need on how to get started.
Insider Tips for Coquitlam
Quiz five-year-old Amalie about what she thinks is the best playground in Coquitlam, and she breaks into an excited grin. “Queenston Park,” she squeals. “I like the big slide ’cause it’s really fast.”
Coquitlam’s travel guide also includes tips from locals spilling the beans on the best things to see and do – from hiking, biking, shopping and even craft beer.
Free & Affordable Festivals in Coquitlam
Picture the outdoor festival experience in a park setting: live music on stage, kids dancing on the grass, people sipping craft beer and purchasing treats from food trucks. Mark your calendars for upcoming highlights including Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day (which attracts 80,000 people), Kaleidoscope Arts Festival and the Summer Concert Series.
Other signature events include Festival du Bois, the Teddy Bear Picnic and Grand Parade, BC Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Stay tuned to visitcoquitlam.ca for festival updates.
Drink, Eat, Shop
Check out the guide’s list of patios and places to sample craft beer. You’ll also glean insider recommendations on ethnic restaurants to try, plus shopping destinations where you can hunt for your next treasure.
Family-Friendly Activities
From parks, outdoor pools and spray parks to fun indoor activities and outdoor adventures that won’t cost a cent, get the scoop on a variety of ways to wear out the kids – no matter the weather. Dig out your hiking boots, walking shoes, mountain bikes or fishing gear and get ready to explore.
I have loved partnering with the City of Coquitlam for the past year because there are so many community events and activities, including the festivals mentioned here (and in the Travel Guide) including the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival, which is offering up 4 tickets to a lucky Miss604 reader!
This festival takes place March 9-10, 2018 at the stunning Westwood Plateau Golf Club in Coquitlam. Sample beer from more than 40 craft breweries plus food from eight restaurants and caterers. New this year, check out Cask Corner, featuring 6-8 unique cask brews.
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival #ExploreCoquitlam http://ow.ly/gKDV30isWL0″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
The winner will receive 4 tickets to the Saturday, March 10, 2018 matinee (from 12:00pm to 2:30pm). Must be age 19 or over to win. Please enjoy responsibly. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, February 26, 2018.
Add a Comment
by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Published in partnership with SnowSeekersPlease review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
In search of long line, fresh powder, friendly locals, and epic Instagram-worthy sights and scenes? Then you need to #SkiNorthBC!
Photographer and writer Abby Cooper (@AbbyDells) set out for Northern BC with SnowSeekers’ #SkiNorthBC expedition this winter. She hit 6 different destinations and chronicled her journey. I wanted to find out more about what she experienced, discovered, and what anyone looking for a Northern BC adventure simply cannot miss.
Q1. What were your first impressions of Wells? ABBY: Despite the cooler temps Wells delivered a warm welcome with its brightly colored historical buildings and smiling faces.
Q2. Who was your best local resource for info? ABBY: Dave Jorgenson of Whitegold Adventures is the best resource for all things related to Wells. His extensive knowledge of the towns history is flawless, even more impressive his ability to cram as many activities into a day as possible. Kite skiing, skating, cross country skiing, fishing, backcountry skiing, whiskey sampling – all of that and more in a day for Dave! When it comes to adventure he’s knows where to go when and what adventures tool to bring to enjoy it most thoroughly.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q3. What did you find most surprising/unexpected? ABBY: Adventure starts as soon as you open your front door. You can snowmobile out of your front yard in Wells or cross country ski, or snowshoe to the local pub if you choose. There’s no reason to commute in Wells, the trails start from your accommodations and lead you as far as you’ll let them take you.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q4. What is a can’t-miss in Stewart? ABBY: If you have the opportunity, ski touring on the Bowron Lakes with Dave from Whitegold Adventures is truly spectacular! But if an evening is all you have don’t miss a cheeky visit to the Wells Hotel to sample one or many of the 350 types of single malt whiskey.
Q5. What was the most Instagram-worthy moment or place? ABBY: Sunrise on Jack Of Clubs Lake is gorgeous! Wander out to the middle of the lake to look back at town if it’s froze and watch the whole place light up!
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q6. What would make you go back again and again? ABBY: Wells serves as the perfect launch pad for winter adventures of all sorts, there’s always more to do, see and sport to try in this neck of BC.
Troll, Quesnel, the District of Wells and Barkerville are destinations along the famed Barkerville Highway (aka Highway 26) – all within the Cariboo Regional District.
SnowSeekers has partnered with National Car rental to secure you a SnowSeekers’ preferred rate. Make a reservation online, or with an agent and in the Contract field enter XVC4SNO for a savings that could cover your ski pass cost every day.
Get inspired and learn more to what BC has in store for you this winter, search #ExploreBC on social media.
Quiz five-year-old Amalie about what she thinks is the best playground in Coquitlam, and she breaks into an excited grin. “Queenston Park,” she squeals. “I like the big slide ’cause it’s really fast.” 
