Category: Vancouver

I always try to find different places to hang out with friends, or go to do homework because lets face it, it’s impossible to get anything done at home with all of these distractions. I was going bowling with my friends one day at Zone bowling in Coquitlam, and noticed a place called Pearl Fever. I took a look inside and they had this nice comfy couch, with leather seats, they also had a nice fireplace in the corner surrounded by nice leather cushions to make you feel at home. I thought what a nice classy looking place. I decided […]

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After being a live for 21 years and doing the same things over and over again, I realized you get BORED! I went on the Internet and typed up things to do in Vancouver and you will never believe what I discovered. In Richmond there is this place called “Exit”. Now have you ever wanted to be trapped in a room and tried to find a way out? Well this is what “Exit” is all about! This place has four different themed rooms you can choose from: Ancient Egypt, The Lost Ship, Prison Escape, and Laboratory Escape. Each room is […]

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The official name of the difficult to photograph Christmas Train in Stanley Park is called “Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park“. It’s great. You’d think it’s just a kids’ thing with all the tons of lights and Santa and elves and a train through the woods, but I recommend it for adults who want to sneak in a moment of feeling like a kid. There’s everything you need. Lights, popcorn, pretzels and donations to the burn BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. The whole layout is far bigger and grander than you’d expect. Of course by now you have […]

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At the 2014 Halloween Train, I happened to learn about squirrels. There was a booth operated by the Stanley Park Ecology Society. It was there that I learned that in the park are northern flying squirrels. I was shocked because I’d never heard of these before. And, there’s a reason. You are as likely to see one of these as you are a magical pixie. This is because they are nocturnal and live only in the high canopy. But of course it’s sad there are no moose in the park because then you could have more Rocky and Bullwinkle jokes. […]

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I’ve enjoyed The Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train in past years, but there was something special this year. Maybe it was the teeming rain. Seriously, it was teeming rain and we were in the middle of an urban rain forest. Strangely the dark woods seemed to protect us, even though we were going to see something scary. Perhaps the side effect of the rain was a smaller crowd. About 15 of us convened and there simply wasn’t a crowd. It was 6 PM, which is prime family time. Most 6-year-olds are mush by 8 PM. Doing something scary after 8 […]

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Summer may be over, but the fall season of music has just begun. Check out these fantastic October music performances to keep the winter blues at bay. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has a number of performances lined up for their Fall Season. Music from the War Era: Great British Classics will be performed at the Orpheum Theatre on October.4th at 8 pm, October.5th at 2 pm, and October.6th at 8 pm. Principal Cello Ariel Barnes will be making his VSO concerto debut with a performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Location: Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3L4 VSO Chamber […]

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This past weekend saw my kid brother fly in from Edmonton with his girlfriend in an attempt to wine and dine Vancouver into her heart in a bid to persuade her to move ‘out west’. Arriving Thursday evening, I met them at the Yaletown Roundhouse Canada Line stop at 7:55pm, and immediately ventured (bags in tow) a block further into Yaletown for an 8:00 PM reservation at Minami , one of Vancouver’s more innovative Japanese restaurants. An extended fine dining experience ensued until the one hour time change served notice and it was time to retire, our bellies full and […]

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If you’ve been in Vancouver a while, you might hear the name Joe Forte, which many associate with a restaurant Joe Fortes found on Thurlow Street between Robson and Alberni. (They have a good lunch special by the way.) There’s also a library named after him. However, Seraphim “Joe” Fortes was the Vancouver Park Board’s first lifeguard. When I happened upon an article about him in BC Magazine‘s Spring 2011 edition, I was fascinated to find that the Canadian immigrant experience is old than we thought. Consider these 7 facts about Joe Forte. Born Barbados 1865 Mixed African/European parentage Lived […]

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Personally, I always try to support independent businesses. Independent Vancouver restaurants offer local and regional cuisine that reflects the surrounding culture and landscape. Plus, they have ambiance that differs from chains. Independents often feature local art on the walls and local musicians on the stereo. You often get to meet the owners, who go out of their way to deliver exactly what you’re looking for. I’ve done the dirty and expensive work for you and I’m here to share my favourite new-to-the-scene, independent restaurants in the mid-range category ($15-$25 entrées – similar to the cost of a main at Cactus […]

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With Vancouver’s sheltered oceanfront there are opportunities to enjoy the beach life in 9 distinct places. Three of these beaches are accessible to downtown Vancouver via Stanley Park and the others are all south of downtown heading west toward and into UBC (University of British Columbia). My favourite memory of a few years back was a remarkable convergence of an extremely low tide, a glorious sunny day and the time to enjoy a long walk. Three of us realized that we could literally walk along the exposed tidal mud all the way from Kits Beach to Wreck Beach. It was […]

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