The Red Sock Project in Vancouver

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

As temperatures dip below freezing and beyond, thoughts turn to those on Vancouver’s streets and their need to keep warm this winter. Nood in Gastown has launched a campaign along with the Salvation Army that will supply Vancouver’s less fortunate with at the very least, a warm pair of socks.

Gastown: Clothes Line
Photo credit: Nood Canada on Flickr

Nood customers are invited to participate in The Red Sock Project by purchasing a pair of wool socks for $2 in-store or online. Socks purchased in-store will be delivered to the local Salvation Army who will distribute them throughout Vancouver. This is a simple way to help out — especially if you live or work in the area, or can spare just a few minutes to click the online donation button.

You can follow @NoodDesign and @SalvationArmy on Twitter for updates this season. Nood locations in the Lower Mainland include 151 Water Street in Gastown, #10 – 20070 Langley By-Pass, 500-801 Marine Drive in North Vancouver, and 4568 Kingsway in Burnaby.

History in Ross Bay Cemetery

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Ross Bay Cemetery is frequently mentioned on tours around Victoria as big buses and double-deckers cruise past the historic resting place that sits beside the ocean. It wasn’t until this past weekend that I had the chance to get out of my vehicle and take a frosty walk around to pay my respects to some of BC’s most notable historic figures and pioneers.

Ross Bay Cemetery

Damp moss topped with leaves crunched underfoot as Keira and I explored for almost two hours. Some tombstones were illegible due to erosion while other graves were marked with wooden crosses or masterful monuments. Moss grew out of stone etchings, revealing names that would have otherwise disappeared. Flowers and candles lay near the sites of departed loved ones while neighbours strolled through with their children or on their bikes that chilled Sunday morning.

Ross Bay Cemetery

Pioneers, HBC notables, Navy personnel, artists, magnates, First Nations and early immigrants rest in peace in various plots, separated by paved pathways. I downloaded a map from the Ross Bay website as a guide so that I could find some of those I have researched or profiled in my history pieces. However, we simply spent most of our time considerately meandering around the markers in silence.

Helmcken
Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken was a surgeon with the Hudson’s Bay Company. Helmcken Street in Vancouver is named after him.
Ross Bay Cemetery

Richards
Albert Norton Richards was the second Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1876 to 1881. Richards Street in Vancouver is named after him.
Ross Bay Cemetery

Dunsmuir
Robert Dunsmuir was a coal magnate on Vancouver Island. His son, James Dunsmuir, was also a Premier of British Columbia. You can learn more about the Dunsmuir family by visiting Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria. Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver is named after him.

Ross Bay Cemetery Ross Bay Cemetery

Douglas
Sir James Douglas is known as the “Father of British Columbia”. Presiding over all Hudson’s Bay Company territories West of the Rockies, Douglas was Governor of the colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Douglas Street in Victoria is named after him.

Ross Bay Cemetery

Robson
John Robson was Premier of British Columbia from 1889-1892. Robson Street in Vancouver is named after him.
Ross Bay Cemetery

Barker
William “Billy” Barker was a pioneer in the Cariboo and namesake of Barkerville.

Ross Bay Cemetery

Emily Carr
Emily Carr is a world-famous BC artist who was also an author and lover of nature. Pens, pencils, bits of cloth and paintbrushes have been left at her gravestone by visitors so we offered up a tribute as well.

Ross Bay Cemetery

Carr was recently immortalized in a statue in front of Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Emily Carr University of Art & Design is named after her. Written on stone is a poem by Emily Carr, installed by the Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria.

“Dear Mother Earth, I have always specifically belonged to you. I have loved from babyhood to roll upon you, to lie with my face pressed right down onto you in my sorrows. I love the look of you and the smell of you and the feel of you. When I die, I should like to be in you, uncoffined, unshrouded, the petals of flowers against my flesh and you covering me up.”

Although BC’s history lives on all around us, it can be found in abundance within this single place in our Province’s capital. Each name tells a story and through each namesake, their pioneering legacy lives on.

Read Keira’s Island Profile of the Ross Bay Cemetery.

Blogger Profile: Kyle With, Blogging from the North

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s been about six months since I last featured a “Blogger Profile” although this is one I have been meaning to put together for quite a while. Kyle With is originally from Yellowknife, NT but is currently based in Fort St John, BC.


Kyle With – Photo credit: Dave Brosha Photography

What is your website/url?
l write YkOnline.ca, which I assume you want to know more about, but I also write a personal site KyleWith.com and a more techie/internet type blog WithMedia.ca .

How long has it been around?
“I started YkOnline.ca in May 2009 when I started to realize that I was writing a lot about my hometown Yellowknife, NT on my personal blog.”

What is your role/involvement (developer, owner, blogger etc.) ?
“Originally I was the only writer of YkOnline.ca, I got the occasional contributor, but it wasn’t very often. Then in August 2010 I was offered a unbelievable job in Fort St John, BC, where I am currently. The job at the moment is only a 6 month job, but may become permanent. So while I’m away I have opened up YkOnline.ca to anyone. Anyone can register and write anything they like.”

What does your site do/what is it about?
“I call YkOnline.ca, Yellowknife’s Community Blog. It is a local or hyperlocal blog. The city is only 20,000 people so it wasn’t much work keeping up with the going ons. I would write about upcoming events, past events, food reviews, business/people profiles, cover big breaking news and generate discussion around news stories. Then since I had worked in the tourism industry so much I started to become an online source for those looking at, traveling or moving to the area.”

What can people see, read, and do when visiting your site?
“The site became a source for those within Yellowknife and those looking to come to the area. Within Yellowknife readers go up to date and sometimes live information on event as well places and things to do and see. Then those outside of the city looking to come to it could use it as a place to learn about the city. At one point I was producing a weekly podcast about things to know about the city and what is within it.

It was something very new and different in town. It was really the only site using Twitter, Facebook, Video, Podcasts to relay information about the city.”

What is the ultimate goal for your site, how would you like to see it grow?
“It grew rapidly in the last 6 months and became a very known source, and I would love to see it stay that way. I have a strong passion for Yellowknife, having grown up there. One of the ideas of the site was to point out the positive in the city, and showcase it. It would be great to see more people contributing and engaging. Another thing would be to see it become sustainable, financially. I realize I wouldn’t be able to make a full time living out of it, but some return is always good, especially as I started devoting a lot of time to it.

I must confess though, I haven’t been keeping up with it lately. Like I mention I get offered a job in Fort St John, BC which I couldn’t turn down although it was difficult to leave what I loved so much, even just for 6 months. I haven’t left the local website industry though. Part of what I am doing now those is help build and evolve a community website. In a couple months we will be relaunching the site which will become a news source, community blog, all in one using all kinds of new media, video, podcasts, etc. If nothing else, what I have learned is that I have just as much a passion for community where ever it is, as I do Yellowknife. Who know what the future holds.”

You can follow Kyle on Twitter and Flickr to keep up to date on his various media projects.

Vancouver Christmas Market: A German Tradition

Comments 25 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Vancouver Christmas Market will be popping up on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre plaza November 24th until December 24rd, 2010.

In the style of a traditional German Christkindlmarkt, you will be able to experience a full Christmas village with vendors and artisans taking up shop in wooden huts. Lights, decorations, gifts, crafts, a kids market, and plenty of treats await. Mulled wine, spicy gingerbread, carolers, trumpeters — you’ll be wishing everyone a Frohe Weihnachten!

The market will also host a variety of special events in early December and is available for private bookings. It is also licensed so you may partake in some traditional spirits and brews on-site but remember to drink responsibly. The nearest SkyTrain station is Stadium and it’s right off Georgia for North Shore and Downtown bus access.

Tickets are available at the door for $5 (adults), $2 (ages 7-12), and children under 6 years old are free. Follow the market on Twitter or Facebook for updates throughout the season.

Update November 24, 2010: CBC is reporting that there was an explosion and fire at the site of the Christmas Market this morning.


Photo credit: CBCStephenQuinn on Twitter

According to tweets from Stephen Quinn, a security guard spotted the gas leak and had everyone evacuate. No one was injured and the VFD have things under control. From a press release this afternoon:

Vancouver, BC The opening of the first annual Vancouver Christmas Market has been delayed due to a construction accident that resulted in a fire at the site on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza Wednesday morning.

Vancouver fire investigators say the fire started when a person drilling a hole in one of the Market’s huts drilled through a propane tank in the process. The propane ignited upon hitting an unknown heat source. Fortunately, no one was hurt as a result of the fire. Damage was contained to approximately six of the Market’s more than 30 vendor huts.

Update November 24, 2010: The fire caused damage to some electrical equipment on site, resulting in the need for extensive repairs and sourcing of parts, which will delay the opening until early the week of November 29.

Update November 27, 2010 per a press release today, the market will open tomorrow:

“Thanks to the efforts of workers and volunteers, the Market will open its doors to the public tomorrow, Sunday, November 28 at 11am and continue to run daily from 11am to 9pm through December 24th.”

Update I had the chance to check out the Vancouver Christmas Market last night, here are a few photos.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market

Feathered birds, wooden nativity scenes, alpen figures, and classic decorations. Among all of the ornaments I was surprised to see a festive pickle, however I did bring one home to adorn our tree.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market

The band played familiar tunes while the aroma of bratwurst, potatoes, cinnamon spice apple cider and sugary crepes filled the air. Although our night was extremely soggy, the kids had a wonderful time getting airbrush tattoos, meeting Holly & Jolly (the gingerbread mascots), decorating their own candles and chocolate candies.

Update September 2011 Vancouver Christmas Market returns this season.

Touring the Thompson Okanagan: Kelowna’s Hotel Eldorado

Add a Comment by John Biehler

The following photo essay was experienced and contributed by John Biehler exclusively for Miss604.com.

Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

After a full day of travelling around Kelowna, we arrived at the Hotel Eldorado. After checking in, our group met for dinner and we were treated to a special menu from the hotel’s Executive Chef, Michael Lyons.

We started with scallop and bacon potstickers:
Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

I opted for the Alberta AAA reserve beef tenderloin with Alaskan King Crab, bernaise sauce, whipped potatoes and vegetables:
Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

The meal wrapped up with a ridiculously decadent Hot Chocolate Soufflé:
Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

Michael is one of the hosts of Food Network’s “Chef Off!” television show. Rumor has it that he runs regular Iron Chef-style competitions with chefs from surrounding hotels in Kelowna. I certainly wasn’t expecting this calibre of food in Kelowna and the Hotel Eldorado certainly impressed me.

Kelowna's Hotel Eldorado

You can follow this unique lakeside boutique hotel on Twitter @EldoradoKelowna and browse their package deals (spa, wine, golf, or romance-themed) if you would like to book a trip there yourself.

Related posts from the trip: Kamloops BC Wildlife Park, Wine: Quail’s Gate & Tantalus, Beer: Tree Brewing, Noble Pig, Frick and Frack

John is an avid photographer, gadget geek and traveller. You can find him on Twitter and at johnbiehler.com where he discusses photography and all sorts of technology. All photos in this post were taken by John.

Disclosure: Activities, services and dining experiences during the trip were compliments of Thompson-Okanagan Tourism.