I didn’t think that my winter walk on the edge of Downtown Vancouver could get more quintessentially Canadian than when I spotted a beaver after watching some pond hockey players adorned in toques glide around Lost Lagoon.
A Beaver and Pond Hockey in Downtown Vancouver
Around the western side of the Lagoon, toward Ceperley Meadow I came across of very silent photo-takers and as I approached their subject was revealed. There, finally, after seeing so much evidence of the creatures for years, I saw a beaver at Lost Lagoon.
The beavers’ work can easily be seen on the walk, from the trees which they have knocked down to the lodge which they have built. Looking out onto Lost Lagoon, Chris explains how “lots of people call them dams, but the one here is actually a lodge. The beavers here actually don’t really make their dams as much because it doesn’t really freeze, so they don’t have to worry about creating deep water.”
Beavers usually try to create deeper ponds in areas which are much colder, so that when it freezes, it doesn’t freeze all the way to the bottom. They will dig trenches, which makes a great habitat for both them and lots of other animals.
It’s always fun to see wildlife in the park (except for coyotes, I want to avoid those), and having the ice skaters on the lagoon in the background as the sun set on the city was such a highlight lovely afternoon.
Lunar New Year festivities are coming to Metropolis at Metrotown. From February 9 until February 24, 2024, BC’s largest shopping centre will usher in the Year of the Dragon with a series of performances, workshops, and traditional displays.
Metropolis at Metrotown Photo Submitted
Lunar New Year at Metropolis at Metrotown
The shopping centre is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 9:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Here’s what’s in store for the Lunar New Year:
Spend and receive Visit the cherry blossom tree in the Grand Court after spending $288 and choose a lucky red pocket – inside you’ll find a $25 gift card, a retail voucher, and a memento celebrating the Year of The Dragon.
Give back for good fortune For every shopper who selects a red pocket from the cherry blossom tree, Metropolis at Metrotown will donate $5 to Angels on Earth Society.
Marvel at a colourful Lion Dance performance Watch as the lion parades throughout Metropolis at Metrotown to bring good luck and prosperity to shoppers and retailers on February 14 at 10:00am in the Grand Court.
Enjoy a musical performance Listen to the beautiful sounds of the guzheng (a traditional Chinese instrument with a 2,500-year-old history) in the Grand Court, as the Lucky Buddha will pose for photos and hand out red envelopes on February 16 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.
Join a culinary workshop Learn how to prepare traditional Lunar New Year meals on February 17. Some attendees will be able to take home a delicious treat.
Make your own Lantern Festival decor During this craft workshop, you can learn from three artisans – a Chinese dragon artisan, a Chinese gold phoenix artisan, and a Chinese lantern artisan.
Dance and eat the day away Watch a dumpling eating contest, dance to traditional and K-pop music, and learn how to lion dance on February 24 at 12:00pm.
Taste your way through Metropolis at Metrotown Take your tastebuds on a tour of the shopping centre, where over 70 eateries beckon with flavours from around the world.
Creator of The Really Gay History Tour, Glenn Tkach, invites audiences to explore the unknown history of the punks, jockers, fairies, and Two-Spirit warriors who shaped Western Canada in The Queer Frontier: Untold Story of Canada’s Wild West.
The Queer Frontier
Date: Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 3:00pm
Location: The Junction (1138 Davie Street, Vancouver)
Glenn Tkach reaches back to the The Queer Frontier to uncover some of the earliest colonial queer history in the region, predating the establishment of Vancouver. With his dynamic, engaging, and humorous style, Tkach weaves together narratives that challenge preconceptions.
The event will offer a fresh perspective on how Western Canada was built, with queer individuals at its very heart. Attendees can expect to be transported back in time, exploring an unknown history.
“I’ve always been fascinated to see queer identities expressed through different cultures. Most people don’t know about the unique queer culture that existed right here in the Pacific Northwest.”
Glenn Tkach
The Really Gay History Tour recently received TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice: Best of the Best 2023 award, ranked as one of the top ten tourism experiences in all of Canada. It has consistently received nothing less than 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Now, Glenn brings that same calibre of storytelling to an even earlier period. The Queer Frontier promises to be an enlightening experience, shedding light on an important chapter of Canadian history that has been overlooked, ignored and even erased.
During the first cold snap of the season in Vancouver, I embarked on one of my sunrise walks around the Stanley Park Seawall to capture some winter scenes.
Winter Sunrise in Vancouver
The sea lions that have made Coal Harbour home for the last month were quieter than usual first thing in the morning, and seagulls slipped and they stood on the frozen surface of the high tide. It was about -8C right when the sun started beaming from behind Canada Place.
