Stanley Park Ecology Society Events

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Stanley Park Ecology Society promotes and educates visitors and locals alike when it comes to the natural elements that make the park what it is. Within the borders of the paved roads and past the parking spaces there is a delicate ecosystem that the SPES can help you explore.

Lost Lagoon Nature House

Here are just a few of their upcoming events:

Insects: Our Friends & Foes!
Sunday August 15th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Insect expert Andrew Scott will lead a talk on how insects have acted to limit the human population and why the mosquito is the most dangerous animal in Africa.

Twenty Million Years of Rock Discovery Walk
Sunday August 22nd from 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Geologist David Cook will lead a walk along the seawall and explore how 50 to 70 million year old rivers laid the foundation for the Stanley Park we know today. This walks meets and leaves from the Third Beach Concession Kiosk.

State of the Park: Ecological Integrity Discovery Walk
Sunday August 29th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Join Sonya, the SPES Environmental Educator, for a tour of areas and concerns highlighted in the SPES Conservation Programs report on the condition of various habitats of Stanley Park.

Birds of a Feather
The last Sunday of every month at 9:00am
Naturalist and expert bird watcher Cathy Aitchison hosts a two-hour walk exploring Stanley Park’s varied and beautiful bird life. Admission by donation.

You can also stop by the Stanley Park Nature House from 9:30am on Saturdays to learn about some of the wildlife and history of the park. It’s adjacent to Lost Lagoon in the old boat house.

Follow @StanleyPkEcoSoc on Twitter for park updates and events. They can also be booked to host Coyote Walks in neighbourhoods around Vancouver to educate your community about co-existing with the animals.

Archives Photo of the Day: August 9, 2010

Comments 8 by Rebecca Bollwitt

With the PNE’s 100 anniversary kicking off later this month I thought it would be fitting to feature the fair in today’s Archives Photo of the Day.

“Win this panel prefab home!”
Year: 1950s
Photographer: Province Newspaper
VPL Accession Number: 41011

Here’s another:

Year: 1960
Photographer: Province Newspaper
VPL Accession Number: 68819

And a third to round out the set. I don’t know the year on this one but the men riding the coaster in suits is just classic.

Photographer: Province Newspaper
VPL Accession Number: 43219

Latin Summer Festival 2010

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt
Baltimore Latinfest - 2006
Photo: Alan Barr on Flickr

The 10th annual Latin Summer Festival is coming up this weekend at Trout Lake (John Hendry Park).

When August 15, 2010 11:00am – 7:00pm
Where Victoria Drive & East 15th Ave

This is one of Vancouver’s longest running Hispanic cultural festivals as it promotes Hispanic heritage through art, dance, food and music.

Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, and more will all have food pavilions while there will also be an artisan market, dance zone, and children’s play area.

The event is free to the public and you can view a full schedule of entertainment and events online.

Gastown Motorcycle Show n’ Shine 2010

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 6th annual Gastown Motorcycle Show n’ Shine happens this coming Sunday, August 15th 2010 on the streets of Gastown. The historic neighbourhood will be closed to traffic between Carrall and Richards as it hosts Vancouver’s largest motorcycle show.

20070819_gastown_bike_show_001
Photo credit: Stephen Dyrgas

Confirmed manufacturers on-site include BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Hit-Air, Big Bear Choppers, Johnny Pag, Drag Specialties, and Parts Canada. There will also be a National Best in Show competition, demonstrations and activities.

20070819_gastown_bike_show_009
Photo credit: Stephen Dyrgas

It looks like the weather will brighten up by then so if motorcycles are your thing, take a stroll on down to Water street for this event. The Show n’ Shine will run from 11:00am until 5:00pm.

Summer Dinner at Seasons in the Park

Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Yesterday I had dinner at Seasons in the Park ahead of attending the promenade play, Robin Hood in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Seasons in the Park

Unfortunately due to the wildfire smoke and summer haze sweeping across downtown our view was clouded over. However on any other day (and hopefully after this weekend) you can experience an incomparable view of Vancouver and the North Shore right from your dinner table on the Seasons patio.

Seasons in the Park

Our server was cheery and charming, keeping our water glasses full and explaining menu details with little jokes here and there. Being a fan of Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio it was nice to see that they had several selections of both on the wine list. I also found out that Seasons also hosts wine tastings a few time a month.

Prawns Beef Carpacio

My good friend Tanya and I were treated to some summertime appetizers including plump prawns, fresh tomato and bocconcini salad, and beef carpaccio ($14).

Seasons in the Park

For dinner, Tanya selected the salmon entree with ratatouille that was listed on the evening’s fresh sheet.

Salmon

I had the pan seared Pacific Halibut with blueberry compote, lemon butter, and mashed potatoes ($26). I’ve had a lot of halibut in my day but I’ve never had it topped with blueberries. It was so fresh and the sweetness was not overpowering at all.

Halibut

We had to skip dessert in order to make it over to the play on time however we were seriously considering the sunburnt lemon pie.

IMG_1819
Seasons from down in the park. Photo: zemistor on Flickr

I recommend taking a stroll through Queen Elizabeth Park before or after your meal and then taking your time on the patio (or inside the bright panoramic dining room) as you enjoy the stunning scenery.

20080601-1-View from Seasons in the Park
Non-hazy view from Seasons. Photo: Roland on Flickr

Seasons is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30am, Sunday from 10:30am and weekend dinner service starts at 5:30pm. Follow @SeasonsInQEPark on Twitter for daily updates.

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