The very popular Circle Craft Christmas Market returns this month to kick off the holiday season in style with hundreds of gifts, decorations, snacks, and seasonal inspirations.
What: Circle Craft Christmas Market Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West When: November 11th until November 15th, 2015 Tickets: Available online with a $2 discount if purchased before November 11th.
Hundreds of artisans from coast to coast will come together for the 42nd Annual Circle Craft Christmas Market. With artisans, artists, and crafters from all disciplines, including pottery, wood, glass, metal, fibre, fashion, jewellery, and more, there will be much to explore. The market will be open from 10:00am to 9:00pm Wednesday, November 11th to Friday, November 15th; 10:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday, November 14th; and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday, November 15th.
Since 1973, Circle Craft Co-operative has presented a Christmas Market, Originally in the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, “The Cultch”, then moved under the sails at Canada Place, and currently in the Vancouver Convention Centre West location. The success of this inaugural event has resulted in 41 Markets to date, Generations of Vancouverites and visitors have attended, enjoying a Market where they come face to face with fine BC and Canadian artisans and their work: wood-turners, glassblowers, sculptors and potters, clothing and jewellery designers, toy-makers, and many more.
RT to enter to win tickets to @CircleCraft Christmas Market from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/Udjqc
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, November 6, 2014. Follow Circle Craft on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about the co-op, their space on Granville Island and of course the Christmas market.
The longest running blanket drive in the region, the Realtors Care Blanket Drive, returns November 16th to November 23rd, 2015. Since 1994, this campaign has helped more than 250,000 people in need through donations of warm coats, clothing, blankets, and more.
REALTORS Care Blanket Drive
Where to Donate Warm Clothing and Blankets This Season
Real estate offices from Hope to Squamish will accept the Blanket Drive donations. A full list is available online here. There are over 30 locations in Vancouver alone, and many others between Abbotsford and White Rock.
Add a Comment
by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. My experience was compliments of Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Destination BC, and Emerald Lake Lodge. Views are my own. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
There’s a time and place for thrilling adventures, and for sitting in front of the fire place all day in a robe, sipping mulled wine. Emerald Lake Lodge, an exceptional year-round accessible resort in one of the world’s most beautiful wilderness settings, offers a home base for both.
I visited the Kootenay Rockies region in September, as the leaves began to change for the season. After a full day of heli-hiking in Revelstoke our group made our way to Yoho National Park, wherein lies the legendary Emerald Lake Lodge, founded at the turn of the last century during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Once accessible only by rail and horse-drawn coach, this lodge has stood the test of time, providing absolute luxury in the middle of a spectacular natural landscape.
Since the lodge is located in a National Park, guests first drive into a main parking lot off-site. There you can stow your vehicle while you walk over to a cabin and pick up a direct line telephone to call the lodge to pick you up. A shuttle arrives and drives you past parked tour buses and over the two lane bridge that connects the National Park to the lodge’s 13 acre peninsula in the heart of the jade-coloured lake.
Coming from our alpine trek, tired and rain-soaked, our group then checked in at the main lodge. Greeted by the warmth of the century-old fireplace, I sunk in for a bear-hug from one of the large leather arm chairs as I checked my email — the lodge being the only building on site that has Wi-Fi.
Accommodations range from lodge rooms, suites, and cabins, with a lodge room being one of four rooms in a single building. There are 85 units in total, situated in 24 chalet-style cabins. I was in a lodge room, with a private balcony and lake view, fireplace ready to light, and big comfy bed that I couldn’t wait to fall into after dinner. The rest of my group found their rooms and went out to the state of the art stainless steel hot tub, catching a rainbow falling across the lake in the process. I stayed in, showered, and lit a fire to warm up and reflect on the day.
When it was time for dinner I walked up to the main lodge, dodging chipmunks and black-billed magpies on the path, and met my colleagues for a drink. Built of hand-hewn timber, the lodge features a massive stone fireplace, sitting rooms, an elegant dining room, quiet reading rooms, games room, and conference facilities. The lounge, where we ordered some bold whiskey-based cocktails, features an oak bar salvaged from an 1890’s-era Yukon saloon.
Dinner featured bison and elk from Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch, owned by the lodge’s parent company and located 30 miles southwest of Calgary, Alberta. Seasonal vegetables, local wines, and great service rounded out our candle-lit meal in the lodge. Surrounded by history, and mountainscapes viewable from grand windows and verandas, the warmth of Emerald Lake Lodge glows on even the cloudiest and coldest of days.
In the morning, after a buffet breakfast at the lodge, I walked down across the bridge and over to the boathouse where there is a trailhead that will lead you around the other side of the lake. While I stopped to take photos, tour buses of travellers visiting the national park came and went, like a tide of people with cameras and selfie sticks that flowed in and out every 15 minutes. I was handed a few cameras to capture this moment for a handful of couples who beamed with excitement about being in such a lovely place, and their happiness was infectious even though I was feeling rather wonderful already.
Our group eventually met up near the boat house, which also houses a great little gift shop, and some took out the bright red canoes that glow like ruby gems on Emerald Lake, while I opted for the hike around the lake.
In the winter, you can snowshoe and cross-country ski both of these routes. The walk features placards and signs with history and information about the area. You will also walk through an avalanche path, carved out each year by inevitable slides that prevent tress from growing and pressing the ground flat as a pancake in one single strip, very visible in the summer months as vegetation attempts to re-grow.
Yellow leaves, sandy stones, luscious green lake water illuminating even the greyest of days as the Rocky Mountains attempt to peer through the clouds, it all made for an amazing autumn stroll with my camera in hand. I can only imagine winter days where everything is covered in pillowy white powder, save for the evergreen tree tops surrounding the lodge. Sharp, harsh slopes of the Rockies peeking out from all around you, not realizing that they have you surrounded as they take turns revealing themselves in the late afternoon sunshine.
Enjoy the great outdoors in spring, summer, and fall in the greatness of Yoho National Park with all of its offerings, or spend your entire day on the pristine waters of Emerald Lake Lodge. In the winter — yes the Rocky Mountains do make for a fantastic winter getaway — Emerald Lake Lodge has packages for your snowy mountain escape including Christmas at Emerald Lake Lodge complete with a visit from Santa and dinner with all of the trimmings.
As mentioned, there is no Wi-Fi in the rooms (just in the lodge) and cell phone reception is spotty. But what it lacks in connectivity, Emerald Lake Lodge makes up for with its ample recreational opportunities and even more ways to relax and enjoy its stunning setting.
Squash, turnips, apples, beets, oh my! Shop for the very best of the season at your local winter farmers market, now with two locations in Vancouver.
Winter Farmers Markets in Vancouver
Where: Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market (Hastings Skatepark, Renfrew St) When: Sundays (November 8th to May 1st) from 10:00am to 2:00pm Details: Located between the Forum and the Agrodome at the PNE fairgrounds, Hastings Park Winter Market will feature 50+ vendors each week bringing Vancouverites a great selection of locally grown produce, meat, seafood and dairy, craft beer, wine and spirits, artisan prepared food and baked goods, handmade craft and food trucks. Closed for the holidays on December 27th.
Where: Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market (30th Ave and Ontario St) When: Saturdays (November 7th to April 23rd) from 10:00am to 2:00pm Details: Voted the Best Place to be on a Rainy Saturday! Each week you can look forward to finding locally grown vegetables and fruit, meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen, artisan cheese and bread, herbs and seasonal nursery items, baked goods, prepared foods and artisanal craft. Closed for the holidays on December 26th.
BONUS Where: Holiday Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive) When: One day only! Saturday, December 12th, 2015 from 10:00am to 4:00pm Details: The annual showcase of seasonal food and fine craft takes place once a year in December at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Over 60 vendors who regularly sell at our summer markets bring out their holiday best at our only indoor venue. Pickup gifts for everyone on your list including VFM branded merchandise, market money and gift certificates.
Founded in 1995, Vancouver Farmers Markets has grown to become one of Canada’s leading farmers markets, with nine weekly markets, 425,000 shoppers per year, and annual sales of $8.17 million. For more information follow Vancouver Farmers Markets on Facebook and Twitter.
Canada is on the road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ facing Honduras in a crucial match on Friday, November 13th, 2015 at BC Place. The team is calling on all Canadians to be the 12th man and rally together as we collectively build a sea of #CanadaRED support.
To help get ready for the match, and to get to know our national players, check out the recently released interview with Fraser Aird:
The Road to Russia
Canada are amongst the 12 CONCACAF nations in the hunt for a spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. The remaining nations have been split into three groups for the continent’s 2015-2016 semi-final stage. The top-two nations in each group will advance to the final round in 2017, from which three nations qualify for Russia 2018 and the fourth team advances to an intercontinental playoff.
In this round, Canada will play six matches, with both a home and away encounter against Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. Matches will be played over three international windows, with the first two matches 13 November at home against Honduras and 17 November on the road against El Salvador. Canada then faces Mexico twice in March 2016 and El Salvador/Honduras again in September 2016.
Canada Men’s National Soccer Team vs Honduras
Support our national team on November 13th at BC Place. Tickets start at just $25 and groups of 10+ are eligible for discounts of up to 30% off regular priced tickets. Find purchase info and more details online.
Win a Prize Pack
Get on the Road to Russia with Canada! I have an awesome prize pack to give away thanks to Canada Soccer that includes: 4 tickets to the Canada vs Honduras match, 4 Canada Soccer scarves, and 4 mini soccer balls. Here’s how you can enter to win:
RT to enter to win #CanMNT tickets to support @CanadaSoccerEN #CanadaRED from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/U91t3
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Saturday, November 7, 2015. Follow Canada Soccer on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
