October is BC Hydro PowerSmart Month which focuses on sharing information about conserving energy, using electricity wisely, finding the right electronics and lighting options for your home, and offering great deals and savings to consumers. Throughout PowerSmart Month I will be sharing updates, deals, and a few exciting giveaways.
BC Hydro’s Candlelight Conservation Dinner is coming up October 25, 2012 at participating restaurants throughout the province. Reservations can be made now for this cozy and romantic dining experience that will save energy by turning off the lights.
Candlelight Conservation Dinner restaurants are located in Comox Valley Quesnel, West Shore, Vancouver (Lower Mainland), Fort St. John, Vernon, Powell River, Victoria, Prince George, and Dawson Creek and a full list is available online. Each will be extending an exclusive discount or special offer on the night, anything from a free appetizer, to 2-for-1 entrées, featured menu items and other great deals.
I have $100 gift cards available to give away for three of the participating restaurants: The Observatory (at Grouse Mountain), Hidden (at the Westin Grand on Robson), and The Teahouse (in Stanley Park). Each of these venues provides a unique experience which will only be enhanced when dining by candlelight. Here’s how you can enter to win one of these three gift cards:
- Leave a comment on this post naming if you would like the gift card for The Teahouse, Hidden, or The Observatory (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw three winners at random from all entries on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 9:00am.
Update The winners are RC (Teahouse), James (Hidden), @AdinaStylist (Observatory).
With the falling leaves comes dropping temperatures around Metro Vancouver and a need to bundle up. For those who do not have the resources to purchase the the basics like socks and scarves — or for those who do not even have a roof over their head — the Lookout Society is ramping up its Share the Warmth campaign.
The Lookout Emergency Aid Society is calling for donations of blankets, sleeping bags, heavy winter coats, rain coats, hats, wool socks, and shoes to help the shelterless this season.
While Lookout is one of the largest providers of shelter beds in Vancouver, they were forced to turn away people over 10,000 time last year because they just didn’t have enough beds. When people are turned away, it’s best to not let them go empty-handed into the cold night.
Here are their most-wanted items:
- Clean blankets and sleeping bags
- Warm winter clothing including jackets, hoodies, sweatpants, gloves, toques, scarves and hats
- New under garments and gently used socks
- Boots and running shoes
Donations can be dropped off daily from 11:00am to 4:00 at the following locations:
- Livingroom Drop-in, 528 Powell Street, Vancouver
- Cliff Block Housing, 606 Clarkson Street, New Westminster
- North Shore Housing Centre 705 West 2nd Street, North Vancouver
Lookout Emergency Aid Society is a non-profit, charitable organization meeting the needs of the homeless since 1971. Lookout operates 181 year-round shelter beds which provide warm beds, meals and services for men and women. Follow Lookout on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
The iconic red Salt Building in the Village on False Creek is about to get another transformation to add even more life to the up-and-coming neighbourhood. After the Olympic village was built up around this historic building it got a facelift and has recently become the city’s hottest event space — hosting everything from photography exhibitions to the opening night gala of the Vancouver Film Festival. Come summer of 2013, it will be home to CRAFT Beer Market, Restaurant + Bar.
All will be welcome at a public open house at the Salt Building to talk about the plans for CRAFT on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Stop by with the whole family from 12:00pm to 4:00pm that day to sample wine, food, local and international beer, tour the building, learn about the vision for CRAFT, meet neighbours, and more. The event is free for all to attend.
“The Salt Building has so much history and is one of Vancouver’s most unique and prestigious buildings and we are excited for the opportunity to pay homage to that history with our concept,” says PJ L’Heureux, President of CRAFT Beer Market. “The Village is really coming into its own and we want to invite residents and businesses in the area to come down and introduce ourselves and our vision for the Salt Building.” [Source: Press Release]
As CRAFT, the Salt Building will have an open concept kitchen, a private room and mezzanine level for special events, and they will have over 140 beers on tap totalling 3km of draft lines. With seating for 350, it will be the largest LEAF Certified restaurant in Canada (Leaders in Environmentally Accountable Food Service).
The menu at CRAFT will be “New North American” with locally sourced ingredients, Gluten free and vegetarian options, and everything from sushi to beer-can chicken.
Follow CRAFT Beer Market on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about how they’ll transform this Vancouver landmark next summer and be sure to stop by the open house on October 27th.
Over the years I have profiled bloggers from the Northwest Territories to the Fraser Valley, anyone that interests me and that I hope will interest you as well. A few years ago I started asking a standard set of questions and I’ve sent these out to a few local bloggers for this week’s series. Click, share, explore, and enjoy.
Lisa Corriveau
Photo credit: Bethany
Blog: The Sprog
Twitter: spokesmama
Facebook: /TheSprog
Pinterest: blauelibelle
Google +
How long has your blog been around?
I’ve been writing on The Sprog since the summer of 2010, shortly before my son–the sprog himself–was born.
What is your role?
I am the sole designer, editor, writer and promoter of The Sprog.
What does your site do/what is it about
I love to share the things I’m passionate about: cycling with my family, car-sharing, making things, great family-friendly events and activities around the city and living a more green life in general.
What can people see, read, and do when visiting your site?
When you visit The Sprog, you’ll find the occasional product or book review, personal posts on parenting, DIY how-tos and tips for saving money and going green.
Why do you blog?
I love the connections I make online and I love to let people know about some of the great events, businesses & services in Vancouver, particularly in my neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant.
What is the ultimate goal for your site, how would you like to see it grow?
I hope to inspire people and show by example that car-sharing and biking are not only eco-friendly and affordable, but fun and feasible with a young family here in Vancouver.
Follow Lisa on her blog The Sprog, on Twitter, Facebook, pinterest, and Google +.
Read all entries in my Blogger Profile series and feel free to suggest a blogger for possible feature in the comments of this post.
The Vancouver Beer Tweetup (@YVRBeerTweetup) is hosting two events this week in partnership with the Hopsctoch Festival and Donnelly Group.
The first event is on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at Smiley’s Pub with the second at The Bimini on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. Tickets are just $5 and if you attend on Tuesday you’ll receive a wristband for free entry to Wednesday’s event.
Each night you’ll meet other local craft beer enthusiasts, learn about BC beer, and have the chance to enjoy the following casks:
Central City Brewing: French Oaked Honey Centennial Rye Whisky Espresso Stout (Tuesday) & Bourbon Oaked Vanilla Bean Century Reserve Rye Blended Stout (Wednesday).
R&B Brewing: Vanilla Bean Spiced Whiskey Stout (Wednesday)
Howe Sound Brewing: Pumpkin Ale Spiced Whiskey Casks (Tuesday) & Honey Whiskey Pale Ale (Wednesday)
Lighthouse Brewing: Imperial Whiskey Marmalade IPA (Tuesday)
Elysian Brewing: Pumpkin IPA (Wednesday)
Parallel 49 Brewing: (TBD) – (Tuesday)
Find out more on the Facebook page for these events and follow YVRBeerTweetup and @YVRBeerTweetup on Twitter. Must be legal drinking age to attend. Enjoy responsibly and plan a safe trip home.
These tasting events are in support of Hopscotch, Canada’s premium scotch, whisky, beer, and spirits festival happening in Vancouver November 12 to 18, 2012
