The Vancouver Curling Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a special event on Saturday, October 13, 2012. This quintessentially Canadian sport is enjoyed by all ages and has a continuing legacy in Vancouver.
What Celebrate the Decades Funspiel
Where Hillcrest Centre (4575 Clancy Loranger Way)
When Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Curlers of all levels and ages are welcome to register to participate tomorrow and some club members will be wearing curling costumes from the last 100 years. Registration is $30 per curler (lunch is included) and can be done online in advance.
Currently based out of Hillcrest Centre in the facility that hosted the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games curling competitions, the curling club has roots all over the city.
The VCC dates back to 1912 where curling took place on Denman Ave in a facility referred to as the “Pile”. Curling ceased with the start of WW I and was suspended until 1931 where it restarted at the Forum in Hastings Park. With the popularity of curling growing, 1938 saw the start of fundraising to build a facility dedicated to curling. However, these efforts were stalled by the start of WW II. The VCC continued to have quality curlers, sending a rink to the newly restarted Brier in Saskatoon in 1946.
1937 or 1938 – Mayor George C. and Mrs. Miller at a bonspiel. Archives item# Port P796.
In 1948, fundraising resumed for a curling facility not just for VCC members – but as many curlers as the facility would fit. A site on Dinmont Ave was selected with Vancouver City Hall and the Vancouver Park Board. The five-sheet Dinmont facility was in operation from 1949 to 2011. [Source: Vancouver Curling Club]
If you’ve been curling for the better part of the last century, have found an interest since the 2010 games, or are curious about taking up the sport, follow the Vancouver Curling Club on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
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.
Kim Werker
Photo credit: Kevin Eastwood
Blog: Kim Werker
Twitter: @kpwerker
Facebook: /kpwerker
How long has your blog been around?
I started this blog-slash-website in 2006.
What is your role?
It’s my personal and professional website, so I’m pretty much the everything of it.
What does your site do/what is it about
My site is my professional hub online. I work as a freelance writer and editor, and I lead a few projects related to crafts and creativity. My site is my portfolio and CV, it’s where I promote the books I’ve written (http://www.kimwerker.com/books) and the projects I’m working on, and it’s where I blog about pretty much anything that strikes my fancy.
What can people see, read, and do when visiting your site?
People can find links to and explanations about my two favourite projects at the moment: Taco Hat TV, which is a web show for curious people and makers that Ben Z Cooper and I are working to fund through Indiegogo; and Mighty Ugly, which is a project about confronting creative challenges.
Visitors who are looking for creative collaboration or who need some writing or editing done can see what kinds of work I’m looking for at the moment. Most importantly, folks can get in touch with me. I love hearing from all sorts of people, especially about their creative adventures.
Why do you blog?
I just love being a part of the creative community. I blog to share my thoughts on any number of topics, from crafts to great books to editing to events in Vancouver, and obviously to promote the work I do. My favourite thing in the world is having a great conversation with thoughtful people, blog to blog or in the comments or on Twitter.
What is the ultimate goal for your site, how would you like to see it grow?
I want to do work I love doing with people I love working with, to concoct amazing creative collaborations, and for my own projects to thrive. I try hard to use my site to connect with potential clients and collaborators, and with fans and supporters. My ultimate goal is to nudge people to explore their creativity without crushing anxiety – from creative professionals to people who insist they’re not creative.
Follow Kim on her blog Kim Werker, Twitter and on Facebook.
Read all entries in my Blogger Profile series and feel free to suggest a blogger for possible feature in the comments of this post.
Being one of the most historic places around, Fort Langley is serving up Halloween festivities in style. There are two main events this season at the Birthplace of BC: Family Fright at the Fort and Grave Tales.
Family Fright at the Fort
Fort Langley is hosting Family Fright at the Fort, a series of evening events with trick or treating, pumpkin carving, crafts, a creepy critter show, and more.
What A family-friendly Halloween festival in Fort Langley
Where Fort Langley National Historic Site (23433 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley)
When October 27th – October 28th, 2012, from 1:00pm to 7:00pm
The Fort will have a hay bale maze, campfire, ghost stories, and refreshments at the Full Barrel Cafe. Tickets are $11.70 per person over the age of 3. Fort Langley National Historic Site Annual Pass members get in free. Book your tickets online in advance, by phone (604) 513-4777, or at the door.
Update October 27, 2012 “Age 2 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.”
Grave Tales at Fort Langley
Every weekend in October you can tour Fort Langley during Grave Tales, a 90-minute guided storytelling walk. Listen to tales of love, mysterious burials, and horrifying of demise as you set out from the cemetery in the village (23105 St Andrews) and make your way over to the old fort.
Tours are offered October 12th to October 14th (7:00pm and 8:00pm); October 18th (7:00pm French tour); October 19th to October 21st (7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm); and October 26th to October 28th (7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm).
The tour is recommended for those over the age of 17 but there is a youth tour at 7:00pm on October 20th. Tickets are $15.10 per person and can be booked online in advance or by phone (604) 513-4777.
Follow Fort Langley National Historic Site on Facebook for more information about events and visits.
I’m a huge fan of exploring beyond the sea wall and into the trails of Stanley Park so I’m excited to share the news that Google has added Canadian parks and attractions its Street Views.
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This documentation is the biggest update of Street View imagery ever and it includes dozens of Canada’s iconic parks, trails, university campuses and zoos.
Mapped in Metro Vancouver
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Parks and attractions in BC were captured on Google Street Views in Nanaimo, Squamish, Fairmont, Kelowna, Pemberton, Vernon, Nelson, Victoria, and Tofino
Vancouver’s favourite amusement park turns out the lights and turns up the horror as Fright Nights return to Playland this month.
Running from October 17th to 31st Fright Nights will have a new haunted house this year called “Fear” to go along with Car-n-Evil, Hollywood Horrors, Asylum, Darkness and the Haunted Mansion. Fear is a new 2,500 square foot house of paranoias including claustrophobia, arachnophobia, and acrophobia.
Along with the haunted houses, rides, and colourful characters lurking around the park you can enjoy catch a Monsters of Schlock comedy circus and Kinshira Fire Troupe.
With over 80,000 guests last year, Fright Nights is Western Canada’s most successful adult-themed event. Tickets are on sale now for $36 at the gate (Thursday to Saturday) and $31 at the gate (Sunday to Wednesday). Book online and get $3 off the ticket price. Fright Nights opens at 6:00pm each day.
I have a pair of passes to give away as well, here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite Halloween costume (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 3:00pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2012.
Update The winner is MrsF!
Warning! Definitely not recommended for ages 12 and under, seniors 65+, people with sensitivity to strobe lighting, people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, pregnant women or easily scared cats. Absolutely no guest costumes allowed.
