We are so fortunate to have three amazing alpine destinations so close to Vancouver, with each coming alive in the winter time. The beauty of having these mountains in our own backyard is that we can easily drive up for some fun, but even if it’s not snowing on the roads, it’s important to be careful. As soon as the temperature drops below 7*C, you need to change your tires and watch out for icy or unsafe road conditions.

Once you have the right gear, you’re ready to hit to road and start exploring. This season I’ve picked out some of the very best experiences for you to enjoy at Mt. Seymour, Grouse Mountain, and Cypress Mountain: Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Is any sacrifice too great to protect your family? This is a question audience members are left with after seeing disPLACE: Refugee Stories in Their Own Words, a brand new original theatre production that shares the real-life experiences of refugees to Canada. A diverse cast of actors, each transforming into multiple characters, weave together an unforgettable journey using verbatim testimony and original music.

disPLACE: Refugee Stories in Their Own Words

• When:November 22 – December 3, 2016
  Tuesday – Saturday evenings 7:30pm
  Saturday matinees 2:00pm
• Where: Freedom Hall, Robert N. Thompson Building (Trinity Western University, Langley)
• Tickets: Available online now or call (604) 513-2188

disPLACE shares compelling and personal accounts of refugees. Discover the personal, human experience hidden beneath the headlines. From the Mennonite immigrants who fled Europe after World War II, to the current global refugee crisis, the stories brought to life in disPLACE offer a unique glimpse into the bonds that tie all of us together.

This is not a faith-based story. It is the inaugural production of Dark Glass Theatre, a new local theatre company with a mandate to tell stories that enable us to see face-to-face, people we might not otherwise meet, to thereby decrease judgement, increase compassion, and foster empathy. Director Angela Konrad is also Chair of the Theatre Department at Trinity Western University’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture. disPLACE is written and directed by Jessie award-winning director Angela Konrad.

Win Tickets

I have a pair of tickets to give away to disPLACE this week, here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. The winner will be able to the remaining performance of their choosing (Nov 29 to Dec 3).

Update The winner is Trevor!

The Robson Square ice rink opens for the season on December 1st, providing affordable family fun in Downtown Vancouver throughout the holidays and beyond.

Skating is free with your own skates, otherwise rentals are available. The rink also features a concession stand with snacks and warm drinks. This year Vancouver’s 50th foot Christmas tree will also be located at Robson Square.

Robson Square Ice Rink Hours

Sunday to Thursday: 9:00am to 9:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:00am to 11:00pm
*Skate rental ends 30mins prior to close

Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): 9:00am-9:00pm
Christmas Day (Dec. 25): 12:00pm-5:00pm
Boxing Day (Dec. 26): 9:00am-9:00pm
New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31): 9:00am-11:00pm
New Year’s Day (Jan. 1): 9:00am-9:00pm

12 Days of Holidays
Enjoy free holiday entertainment from December 13th to 24th with local bands, singers, and entertainers on stage next to the rink.

Robson Square Ice Rink Rentals

Skates: $4.00
Ice Cleats: $2.00
*Helmet included with skate rental. Cash only!

Ice Rink Closures, Schedule Changes & Events
Watch here for updates or call the Robson Square Hotline 604-646-3554. Please be advised that warm weather leads to warm ice! Robson Square Ice Rink may need to close unexpectedly.

School Program
If you are a grade 4-7 school, you can enroll sign up for free skating at the Robson Square Ice Rinks school program. Robson Square will provide your class with free skate and helmet rentals.
The school program runs Monday through Friday with three 1 hour time slots daily.

The The Robson Square ice rink will remain open until February 14, 2017. Tag your photos with #robsonsquare on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share the fun. Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street between Robson and Georgia, Howe and Hornby.

The Bright Night Christmas Train in Stanley Park is a highlight of the holiday season in my eyes. Not only does everyone get to share in the the magic of Stanley Park, but under millions of sparkling lights this event raises funds for such a worthy cause.

Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park

Admission

Admission to the train plaza is by donation ($4 suggested). Enjoy three million twinkling lights, displays, live performers, and get photos with Santa. Purchase snacks, hot and cold drinks, and light meals at the Railway Café concession stand. Or buy hot buttered popcorn at the Stanley Park Ecology Society’s Cob House in the plaza.

Train Tickets

You must buy a ticket to ride the train. Tickets are sold in half-hour time slots. Several trains will depart within each time slot. Your ticket is valid for one Bright Nights ride during the time slot shown on the ticket. Buy online or phone 604-252-3700 with TicketLeader online. Ticket sales start at 10:00am (12:00pm when there no matinee trains).

Special Offers

Old Spaghetti Factory dinner packages are available through TicketLeader when you buy your train tickets. Add the dinner package after choosing the time slot for your train ride. When you complete your order, it is recommended that you contact the Old Spaghetti Factory to make your dinner reservation in advance.

Bright Nights has on-site and overflow parking lots. All parking is free. Overflow lots include the Info Booth, Yacht Club, Totem Poles, Brockton Point, North Pipeline Road, and Beaver Lake lots.

Bright Nights Charity Partners

Proceeds support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Bring non-perishable food items for the food bank and a suggested $4 donation for the Burn Fund (upon admission).

Tips

1. Avoid the crowds and come out Monday to Thursday in the first two weeks.
2. Purchase your ticket online in advance, it’s going to be busy!

Follow Bright Nights in Stanley Park on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

On Wednesday, December 7th, Cause We Care (in partnership with Capital Direct) will be hosting its 10th annual Christmas hamper drive where 200+ volunteers will assist in stuffing 750 hampers full of essential food items and small gifts.

The hampers will be distributed to 25 frontline organizations in the Lower Mainland that support single mother-led families and children in need.

Cause We Care Hamper Drive

Over the last nine years, Cause We Care has successfully aided frontline organizations by delivering 5,932 hampers stuffed with over 105,000 pounds of food to low-income families across the Greater Vancouver area, making it the largest hamper drive in Vancouver.

How You Can Help

Donate: Vancouverites can help support the drive by donating online – for every online $70 donation, a hamper will be delivered to a local family in need.

Special thanks goes to Save On Foods (Cambie Street), Army & Navy and Purdy’s Chocolatier for their many years of continued support. Thanks to Aritzia for keeping mothers and children warm through the winter with donated gloves and toques; and many thanks to Dueck Auto Group for providing cargo vans for hamper deliveries.

Purchase: Blue Ruby will once again be teaming up with Cause We Care to offer perfectly handcrafted holiday bracelets. These bracelets make a charitable and stylish gift and 100% of proceeds go towards supporting programs and initiatives run by Cause We Care. Prices range from $20 to $150. They are available in all Blue Ruby stores.

Volunteer: Donate your time to help stuff hampers for this campaign on December 7th.

Follow Cause We Care on Twitter and Facebook for more information.