Remember when there was a Zoo in Stanley Park? Monkeys, nocturnal critters, kangaroos, and polar bears. There was horseback riding and those little penguins that would swim up and glide down a slide into their own little pool.

Photo credit: © caelie on Flickr - all rights reserved

The Stanley Park Zoo is now walking trails, although a small petting zoo still remains near the train where you can get chased by kids (either way).

There was also the “Game Farm” in Aldergrove which, in later years, changed its name to the “Greater Vancouver Zoo“. I remember riding Tina the elephant and watching lions in tall grass in the distance. The GVZoo has had its share of problems, most recently involving the housing conditions of the Hippo - famous for its Telus commercials.

This morning it was announced that the GVZoo has been re-accredited:

The Aldergrove facility has been re-accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. That accreditation was yanked back in 2004, over concerns about living conditions.

The Zoo tells the Vancouver Sun, it means a lot to have it back but administrators hope it will also mean a lot to the general public. [News 1330]

Honestly, even the animals in the livestock barns at the PNE kinda scare me so it’s not an issue of if I would enjoy going to them anymore. However, this is a huge issue for most people, around the world.

I know the question is pretty general, so you have any comments to add feel free to do so.

You know when I say “Vancouver” I mean Metro Vancouver and surrounding townships right?

Who doesn’t a love a good ol’ parade? This year Aldergrove will be hosting the “Light Up Parade” on the evening of December 8th, down Fraser Highway.

What: Light Up Parade
When: Saturday December 8, 2007 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Downtown Aldergrove, Township of Langley

Before the parade there will be a Santa Show at the Elk’s Hall, you can also enter a contest by decorating your house, or swing by the #3 Firehall to donate to a good cause through the “Fire and Ice” campaign.

This website popped onto my radar a short while ago when they linked my story about the Surrey Memorial Hospital, even though they’ve been around for the last four years.

Langley’s longest-running and most popular Town Hall forum, hosted by Langley Township Councillor Jordan Bateman and Sam “Politics” Kirk. Featuring more than 150,000 visitors, 500,000 hits, and 9,000 Dotcomments in the past year. [LangleyPolitics.com]

Together the Jordan and Sam have been covering politics in the Township, in some form or another, for the last 10 years and Jordan is “youngest elected member of Langley Township Council, representing 100,000 residents.” They touch on everything from Council meetings, local news, national politics, school board meetings and opinions.

Recently Jordan wrote an article in the Abbotsford Post about a Facebook group of young drivers who admit and boast about speeding along a stretch of road near the border, he also cross-posted this on his site.

A small Facebook group offers a frightening glimpse into the mindset of some of the young drivers who regularly use 0 Avenue.

The “0 and 16th Ave Speeders” are a group of about a dozen people who “admit to speeding on those roads.” Some of their comments should worry you.

“I must admit I like doing between 90 and 100 ks,” wrote the group’s founder, Richard Allegretto. “Speeding is only dangerous if you drive like an idiot while doing it, if everyone is doing the same speed and not weaving in and out of traffic, things should go just fine!” [LangleyPolitics]

Naturally that post has tons of comments, on both sides of the argument, especially seeing as how some Western Canadians feel speed limits should be increased on certain city roads [News1130]

Like I said, these guys have been blogging about Langley Township matters for several years so I’m a little late to the story. Just the other day Jordan was in the Province and on CKNW talking about Aldergrove border issues.

I find what they’re doing is absolutely wonderful. They’re creating a dialog, discussion, forming opinions and letting others express theirs in a local political situation that is, thanks to them, far from closed off from the public - as it should be.

To continue the “Best of 604″ I’ve put together a hodge podge of some more things I like and would recommend. This isn’t to compete with any other list, this is simply my spin on things as these are people, places and things that I personally find pleasant. With some help I hope to cover a different spectrum, all inclusive of the entire “604“.

Downtown:

Metro Vancouver:

The “Best of 604″ will be an ongoing series, so watch for more posts in this category.

The annual “Best of Vancouver” issue of The Georgia Straight left me wanting more and had some of my readers saying wondering just what we’ve done to deserve Nickelback as a top band in our city? Because of this, I’ve decided to follow in the footsteps of the MaGoggy’s and create my own awards, the Best of 604. These are not the things that are highest rated by Zagat or that have the most stars. These are people, places and things that I personally find enjoyable. With some help from John and my sister Jenny I hope to cover a different spectrum, all inclusive of the “604“.

The “Best of 604″ will be an ongoing series, so watch for more posts in this category.

I wanted to touch on a ‘real’ demographic and ‘real’ places in and around Metro Vancouver. The first edition of the “Best of 604″ is focused on family. Here are Jen’s recommendations.

Photo is property of True Colors Painting Ltd.