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Hidden Secrets: Weekend Plans for April 27-29

April 27th, 2012
 


The VanDusen Plant Sale, 2011. Source: Nancy Wong via Flickr.

No weekend plans? Let us help! From the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver to boat building contests on the Sunshine Coast, here’s a list of 6 quirky and cool events taking place throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this weekend!

VanDusen Plant Sale – Vancouver

The holy grail of plant sales is taking place this Sunday at VanDusen Botanical Garden. As recently featured in The Vancouver Sun, the VanDusen Plant Sale is the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver with 40,000 plants on sale and crowds of up to 10,000 expected – lining up as early as 6am! For tips on how to prepare, visit their website and be sure to look up their 35 page Plant Sale Catalogue to see what botanical treatures await. Bonus: admission to the garden is free during the sale!

When: Sunday, April 29 from 10am-4pm
Website: www.vandusengarden.org

Party for the Planet – Surrey

Bring the whole family out to Central City Plaza for BC’s largest Earth Day celebration! Party for the Planet will be featuring a variety of activities such as live entertainment, children’s play areas, a tree sale, plus environmental and community information. Entertainment is wide and varied, from children’s performers like Bobs & Lolo, to bands and singers like Good for Grapes, The Boom Tooms, Down With Webster, Ashleigh and Raghav. Enjoy dance groups such as the DRS B-Boy Crew and the Celebration Dance Team, or groove to the beats in the Port Metro Vancouver Energy Dance Tent.

When: Friday, April 27 (4-10pm) and Saturday, April 28 (10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet/

Flash Marathon Shuffle – Powell River


Photo: The Flash Marathon Shuffle by Powell River. Source: Club Fat Ass.

Feel like challenging yourself this weekend in the beauty of an old growth, temperate rainforest? If so, get yourself to Powell River this Sunday for the Flash Marathon Shuffle. This is not your typical running event as it’s classified as a “fun, low key shuffle (hike or run) on a 29 km section of the Sunshine Coast Trail”.  Experience the groomed trails through the forest, along creeks and lakeshores, through dales and over hills. All throughout there are magnificent vistas of the Sunshine Coast, adjacent islands, nearby lakes and the city. If 29km’s too daunting, that’s there’s also the Half Shuffle which is a 12km option – it’s 2km more than the Sun Run, but surrounded by nature without the crowds.

When: Sunday, April 29. Check-in at the Shingle Mill Pub at 7:30am. Shuffle begins at 8:30am.
Website: www.clubfatass.com/events/marathon-shuffle

Spring Golfing – Pemberton

It might be another fantastic year for snow in Whistler, but just 32km north in Pemberton, the climate is actually warmer, meaning that golfing season has already begun! Both of Pemberton’s golf courses, The Meadows at Pemberton and Big Sky Golf and Country Club, have opened for the season just last weekend. Consider a day of golfing if you’re heading up to Whistler, or better still, book a Swing Into Spring golf package with the Pemberton Valley Lodge for some early season discounts and spend your entire weekend in Pemberton on the greens.

Websites: www.pembertongolf.com / www.bigskygolf.com / www.pembertonvalleylodge.com

Yarrow Ecovillage Open House – Chilliwack

Photo: The farm at the Yarrow Ecovillage in March 2012. Source: Yarrow Ecovillage via Facebook.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you lived at an ecovillage? This Sunday you’ll have your chance as the Yarrow Ecovillage hosts an Open House for the general public. The Yarrow Ecovillage is described as “an exceptional combination of cohousing, sustainable living, farmland preservation, a live/work community and a mixed-use town center.” Come on out and see what life is like at an ecovillage and meet the people who have built this extraordinary neighbourhood. There will be farm tours, home tours, kids’ activities and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

When: Sunday, April 29 from 1-4pm
Website: www.yarrowecovillage.ca

April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge – Madeira Park

The 11th Annual April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge takes place this Saturday at the Seafarer Millennium Park in the Pender Harbour community of Madeira Park. Described as a mix of inventive boatbuilding, high school team antics, and kids’ mini-boatbuilding, the event is blended with a variety of community activities and comprises one of the most enjoyable Pender Harbour activities of the year. There will be races, free activities for kids, a BBQ and more!

When: Saturday, April 28 beginning at 10am
Website: http://www.maritimeheritage.ca/april-tools

Hidden Secrets: Weekend Plans for April 20-22

April 20th, 2012
 


Photo: Live music at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler. Photo by Mike Crane.

No weekend plans? Let us help! From Earth Day festivities in Roberts Creek to the largest Vaisakhi celebration outside of India taking place in Surrey, here’s a list of 11 quirky and cool events taking place throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this weekend!

Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival – Whistler

It’s the last weekend of the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler. If you’re needing a quick getaway that includes Canada’s largest free outdoor concert series, action sports, fashion, film, photography and more, head up the Sea to Sky and see what all the fuss is about. The festival merges music, sport and art into the most energetic, electric and memorable 10 day festival on snow the world has to offer. Free concert highlights this weekend include Michael Franti & Friends at 4pm on Friday, April 20; DJ Grandtheft at 8pm on Saturday, April 21 at the Mainstage for Big Air Competition; and finally The Sheepdogs at 4pm on Sunday, April 22. Check the website for the full schedule.

When: April 13-22, 2012
Website: http://www.wssf.com

Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – Surrey

The annual Surrey Vaisakhi Parade takes place on Saturday and is the largest Vaisakhi parade outside of India! In 2011, Surrey’s parade shattered attendance records, as over 150,000 people turned out to take part in the celebration. Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar and celebrates both the Sikh New Year festival and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1699.

The Vaisakhi Celebration is truly a community event and welcomes people of all backgrounds to participate. Locals can be found adorned in orange, blue and white giving out food along the streets, sharing, singing, walking in the parade, and rejoicing in their culture. This exciting and fun-filled event in Surrey epitomizes multiculturalism and ethnic diversity. Participants are requested to cover their heads and to not smoke or drink at the event.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (7:30am-5pm)
Website: http://www.surreyvaisakhiparade.ca/

Spirit of the People Pow Wow – Chilliwack

Come out to Chilliwack and experience a traditional Sto’lo Nation pow wow! Held at the Chilliwack Sports Landing Centre, the Spirit of the People Pow Wow is a drug and alcohol free event for the entire family showcasing First Nations culture in an inspiring, weekend event with songs, regalia, dance and traditional foods. Come and check out the Native Artists’ Market, which will host over 45 Native Artisan Vendors at the indoor and outdoor Aboriginal Artisans Market. Admission is $2 per day or $5 for the whole weekend! Everyone is welcome.

When: Fri, April 20 (7pm), Sat, April 21 (1pm & 7pm), Sun, April 22 (12pm)
Website: http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/event.php?eventID=1121

Fan Expo Vancouver – Vancouver

Geeks unite! It’s the inaugural year of Vancouver’s large-scale comic convention Fan Expo Vancouver and it’s taking place this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre! The expo will highlight art, celebrities, shopping, discussion panels and workshops, including the original Batmobile from the original TV series and of course, the original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward, from the 60s TV series. Download the full schedule here. Anticipate thousands of fellow comic, anime, manga, video game, gaming, horror and sci-fi fans from all over the west coast, including lots of cosplay. What’s not to love?

When: Sat, April 21 (10am-7pm), Sun, April 22 (10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.fanexpovancouver.com

Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival – Agassiz

There are only two weekends in April to experience the Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival – this weekend and next. If you’ve never experienced a tulip festival before, get yourself out to the Fraser Valley and enjoy 40 acres of vibrant locally-grown tulips with a dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Coast Mountains. Admission is only $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, and free for kids under 12. Curious what 40 acres of tulips actually looks like? Check out our photos to get a taste of what to expect.

When: April 18-30, 2012 (Mon-Tues: closed, Wed-Fri: 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.tourismharrison.com/page/Tulip_Festival

Celebrate Earth Day at Heywood Park – North Vancouver

Join the City of North Vancouver this Sunday as they celebrate Earth Day, the official opening of Heywood Park playground and the new fish hatchery! It’s also the kickoff for the City’s Green Can Food Scraps Collection program, starting this May. Come out and paritipcate in a fish release, take a tour of the hatchery, and check out the Community Art Project and other displays. Help remove invasive plants and plant local species in the park and play in the new playground. Tools, plants and light refreshments will be provided. Great prizes to win and fun for the whole family!

When: Sun, April 22 (12-4pm)
Website: http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=3&i=686

Stave Falls Powerhouse -  Mission

In the spirit of Earth Day, we think it’s the perfect time to learn about one of BC’s cleanest sources of electricity – right from the source! The Stave Falls Powerhouse is an authentic 1912 generating station located in Mission that offers a unique all-ages experience with interactive games and historic displays that tell the story of how power helped build this province. Other amenities include a 50-seat theatre, a gift shop and BC Hydro’s Hayward Lake recreation site nearby.

When: Wednesday-Sunday (11am-4pm).
Website: http://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/stave_falls_visitor_centre.html

Spring Wine Release Party at Neck of the Woods Winery -  Langley

If you’re a wine aficionado and you haven’t yet visited Langley’s Neck of the Woods Winery yet, take the opportunity this Saturday and head into Fraser Valley wine country for their Spring Wine Release Party.  In addition to the new wines being released, there will also be appetizers (between 12-2pm) as well as an opportunity to wander through their production area. On top of that, there will also be prize draws, specials, and more!

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (11am-6pm)
Website: http://www.neckofthewoods.ca

Earth Day – Roberts Creek

Head out to the Roberts Creek Pier this Sunday for some Sunshine Coast Earth Day festivities! There will be local musicians, great food and environmental information. Ride your bike and receive a free bike tune-up, or take the SCRD’s eco-groovy Musical Bus for some zero-waste fun!

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 (12pm)
Website: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/calendar/

Magnolia Walk – Coquitlam

If you’ve been admiring all the magnolia trees in bloom in our local gardens, then you might be interested in attending the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society’s Magnolia Walk this Sunday. These walks begin at the Riverview Hospital at the Hendy Esson Young (Hey) Building and are usually led by a volunteer arborist. The walks last about two hours depending on the weather and the walkers’ preference. Dress for the weather and wear comfy shoes. The walk happens rain or shine. Children and adults are welcome and dogs on leash are also welcome! It’s free to attend.

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 (1pm)
Website: http://rhcs.org/tours_events.html

Make It! – Vancouver

This weekend Vancouver’s Croatian Cultural Centre is hosting Make It! Vancouver. Shop for one-of-a-kind handmade items from over 110 of Canada’s hottest urban artisans, designers and crafters. There’s also a licensed bar and live music. It’s $5 at the door but you can print off this flyer at the door, or better yet, show it on your iPhone for $2 off. Finally, don’t take your car – the Croatian Cultural Centre is an easy 10 minute walk north of the Broadway Skytrain station.

When: Fri, April 20 (4-9pm), Sat, April 21 (11am-6pm), Sun, April 22 (11am-5pm)
Website: http://makeitproductions.com

Best Places for BBQ in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

March 21st, 2012
 


Photo: BBQ’ing it up at the Hog Shack Cook House. Photo by Rick Chung for RickChung.com

Let’s face it, Vancouver doesn’t really have a southern-style BBQ culture. As the Globe and Mail‘s Alexandra Gill states, “In Canada, we often confuse barbecue with backyard grilling”. By comparison, southern BBQ is all about slow cooking the meat with smoke at low temperatures for long periods of time.

Our fascination with smoky carnivorous delight is on the rise, however, and I’m not talking char siu or Montreal-style rotisserie chicken either, but good ol’ fashioned BBQ ribs, brisket, sausage, and pulled pork. Inspired by the 1st Annual Big Red Barn Burner BBQ Competition in Chilliwack this weekend (March 23-25), we thought we’d list five of the best places for southern-style BBQ in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains.

1. The Campfire Grill – Squamish

Start off your trip to Whistler with a pit stop at The Campfire Grill, or simply make this Squamish BBQ joint a worthy destination in its own right. Serving up BBQ sandwiches, BBQ grub plates, campfire feasts, and BBQ street tacos, The Campire Grill prides itself on smoking their ribs, chicken, pulled pork and beef low and slow on their outdoor wood pellet BBQ. A popular place for take-out, it’s even better if you stay to eat in their alfresco environment. They have a covered seating area and an open fire to enjoy. You can even roast marshmallows for dessert! It’s only fitting that they’re located within an RV park.

2. Lucky’s Smokehouse – Sechelt

If you’re seeking natural wood smoked BBQ on the Sunshine Coast, look no further than Sechelt’s Lucky’s Smokehouse. They serve up southern style BBQ from slow roast chicken to melt-in-your-mouth brisket, all made in-house on their wood smoker. Their sides are also made from scratch, from their pit-smoked beans to the slaw. But what’s particularly appealing to yours truly is their “Train Wreck” sandwich. It’s not every day that you get pulled pork, smoked sausage, brisket and slaw piled high between two pieces of bread!

3. Memphis Blues BBQ House

Memphis Blues BBQ House is definitely a pioneer of the Vancouver southern BBQ scene. It’s by far the most popular BBQ joint in the city and is often considered the litmus test for good BBQ in the region. Try their Elvis Platter if you want to sample every meat (ribs, rib ends, brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, catfish, chicken) and every fixing (corn bread, collard greens, slaw, potato salad, fries, BBQ pit beans) on the menu. Needless to say, it’s ludicrously huge. If you had to choose one item, their brisket is supposed to be phenomenal. Memphis Blues ain’t fancy, but BBQ isn’t supposed to be. Just flavourful, hearty, stick-to-your-ribs goodness, and you know that’s exactly what you’re going to get here.

4. Embers BBQ House – Mission

BBQ lovers in the Fraser Valley have a hidden gem in their back yard called Embers BBQ House. Not only do they make all their food fresh from scratch, they’re the only BBQ joint around to bake their own bread and wraps in-house in a stone oven! While BBQ ribs, brisket, and chicken are items on their menu, they also offer some creative wraps and sandwiches, like the Heidi Baked – a BBQ chicken sandwich with pickled asparagus, tarragon sauce and Swiss cheese, served on the very bread that Embers is so famous for.

5. Hog Shack – Richmond

If you love craft beer with your BBQ, the Hog Shack Cook House will satisfy your soul. It’s Steveston’s first (and only) BBQ restaurant, offering a nice contrast to the typical seafood offerings the place is famous for. Their beer list is one of the most impressive in all of Richmond, although those in the know come to Hog Shack for their coveted nuggets of BBQ gold: Burnt Ends. The only caveat is that burnt ends aren’t actually on the menu, so you’ll have to find out about them via word of mouth. (Hint: follow Hog Shack on Twitter @HogShackCa). And if you’re wondering what the heck burnt ends are, allow me to introduce you to local food blogger Ed Lau who explains on his blog Ed Eats why they’re considered the most desired food amongst BBQ enthusiasts.

Special Mention: Re-Up BBQ – Vancouver

A shout out to my favourite Vancouver food cart, Re-Up BBQ. They serve pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket, and sweet tea. I can only vouch for their pulled pork sandwich, but it’s one killer pulled pork sandwich – tangy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Due to the nature of being a food cart, they can literally pick up and take off to whatever destination they desire. Fortunately they remain parked by the Vancouver Art Gallery on some Thursdays and Fridays (11am-3pm), but on Fridays and Saturday nights they’ll linger outside the Biltmore Cabaret feeding hipsters from 9pm-2:30am! Nevertheless, if you have a craving for pulled pork sandwiches (and who doesn’t?), you can’t go wrong with Re-Up BBQ.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of every BBQ restaurant in the region, but merely a sampling of the better ones based on our research and your feedback. Did we miss your favourite BBQ joint? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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5 Japanese Gardens in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

March 20th, 2012
 


Photo: Japanese plum blossoms growing in Steveston last spring. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

It’s the first day of spring!

Yeah, it’s hard to believe with the frigid temperatures, although there’s that fresh smell in the air of cherry blossoms waiting to bloom. You know it’s just going to be a matter of days before we start seeing pink everywhere. It’s seriously one of my favourite times of the year, so fleeting yet magical all the same.

Back when I was a student at UBC, I took an art history class about Japanese ukiyo-e painting, and one recurring subject in the artwork was “hanami” which is the Japanese custom of enjoying beautiful flowers… or more specifically, cherry blossoms at that precise moment when the petals begin to fall. My professor would tell us stories of modern day Japanese hanami or sakura parties in Toyko where people in the hundreds would flock to the cherry trees at the first site of fluttering petals, and would proceed to drink sake all day under the canopies of pink.

But that got me thinking… there’s a strong tie to the Japanese community here and while we don’t exactly have a hanami tradition, we do appreciate spring, cherry blossoms, and Japanese culture. We also have several Japanese gardens scattered around our beautiful Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region of BC.

To kick off spring, I thought I’d highlight five of such gardens:

1. Nitobe Memorial Garden – Vancouver


Photo: UBC’s Nitobe Memorial Garden in March, 2003. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

Located at UBC campus, Nitobe Memorial Garden is a traditional Japanese Tea and Stroll garden and according to their website, it’s considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Nitobe Garden also includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are always a possibility when you visit.

Though tiny in size, Nitobe’s a must for anyone interested in traditional Japanese gardens. Each tree, stone and shrub has been deliberately placed and is carefully maintained to reflect an idealized conception and symbolic representation of nature. The garden honours Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) whose goal was “to become a bridge across the Pacific”.

When you’re planning a visit, take note that the garden is only open on weekdays from 10am-2pm. Admission is by donation.

2. Kuno Garden – Richmond

Richmond has strong ties to Japan, and it’s not just because they’re sister cities with Wakayama. Japanese Canadians were Steveston pioneers, making up a significant chunk of the village’s population back in the infancy of the fishing industry. Just drop by the Steveston Museum for proof where you can glimpse at the old photo albums and you’ll see that Steveston was once home to Japanese schools, a Japanese hospital, and countless shops catering to the Japanese Canadian community. This was pre-WWII Steveston.

Steveston is a different place now, but legacies of its Japanese heritage live on in places such as Kuno Garden. Situated at the entrance of Garry Point Park, Kuno Garden was created to celebrate the centennial year of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to Canada. It’s a tiny section of an otherwise expansive park, but the nearby grove of cherry trees makes it a particularly alluring place to visit in the springtime.

3. Chiba Garden – North Vancouver

Located along the 200 block of West Esplanade at Waterfront Park, North Vancouver’s Chiba Garden is a traditional Japanese garden tucked away behind cedar gates. Built in 1986, it commemorates the friendship between the City of North Vancouver and its sister city, Chiba. Although the North Shore News‘ Todd Major suggests that it’s “a little neglected”, he explains that “the garden’s design is comprised of two streams originating from one source, representing the friendship between these two cities”.

Local blog This Is the Way It Is & That’s Okay visited Chiba Garden in February 2012 where they relaxed and absorbed the scenery – the trees, the sea air, and the quiet. Check out their photos as it’ll no doubt inspire you to hop on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay where Chiba Garden awaits less than a 10 minute stroll away.

4. Friendship Garden – Hope


Photo: Friendship Garden in May, 2008. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

Located in the heart of Hope is a beautiful Japanese garden simply known as Friendship Garden. I’m embarrassed to admit that I had only discovered this garden in May of 2008 despite a lifetime of visits to Hope. It’s only two short blocks east of Water Avenue (the main strip when you first enter the town) and any time I visit Hope now, I definitely make a point at stopping by. It’s a beautiful park to stretch your legs and breathe in the mountain air. Of course, the cherry blossoms make it particularly picturesque.

But there’s a deeper meaning to this park as explained by the plaque on the rock. It reads, “Built by the local Japanese Canadians commemorating the Japanese Canadians interned during World War II in Tashme Camp, 20 kilometers east of Hope on Hwy No. 3 and also to demonstrate Japanese culture to the general public. Presented to the Town of Hope on July 27, 1991. Project design and supervision provided by the Japanese Gardeners Cooperative of B.C.”

5. Friendship Garden – New Westminster

Yes, there are two Japanese Friendship Gardens in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains! Located adjacent to New Westminster’s Tipperary Park, Friendship Garden is a Japanese-inspired garden that was built in 1963 as a tribute to Moriguchi, Japan – New Westminster’s sister city. Unlike the more traditional Japanese gardens, this garden blends the aesthetics of a Japanese garden with the more informal garden style typical of the Canadian west coast.

Ironically, it’s situated right next to City Hall, but there’s no better place to escape the city. Relax on a bench to enjoy the beauty of the trees, flowers, and native plants, or go for a short stroll along the walking paths. The park also features a waterfall and pond as well as a totem pole. In any case, it’s the perfect hybrid of Japanese and west coast culture.

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5 Irish Pubs in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

March 15th, 2012
 

Irish Heather
Photo: Gastown’s Irish Heather. Source: Sean Heather via Flickr.

Did you know that the Lion’s Gate Bridge was built by the Guinness family (yes that Guinness family) as a way to connect Vancouver with their properties on the North Shore? These properties are now known as the “British Properties”, and the rest, they say, is history.

Although Vancouver doesn’t have a huge Irish expat community in comparison to other Canadian locales, the city and region does know how to throw a good St. Patrick’s Day party.  Celtic Fest is taking place in Vancouver all week, culminating with the 8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday morning.

At first we thought we’d use this opportunity to highlight the St. Patrick’s Day activities taking place this weekend, but the more we thought about it, the more we realized that people just want to drink beer on St. Patrick’s Day. Irish beer. Irish beer in an Irish pub – the more authentic the better.

Tourism Vancouver’s Inside Vancouver blog published a great list of Vancouver’s Grandest Green Pubs, but we wanted to expand the concept to the rest of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Based on our research and your feedback, here’s our top 5 picks:

5. Duke of Dublin Olde Irish Pub – Abbotsford

When we first spread the word that we were looking for your favourite Irish pubs, more than a few of you came back to us highly recommending the Duke of Dublin Olde Irish Pub for their fun atmosphere and quality pub food. If you’re looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday, the Duke of Dublin will be having live Irish music all day performed by the Streels, Irish dancers performing at 7:30, and DJ Chris all night.

4. Dublin Crossing Irish Pub – Surrey

Surrey’s Dublin Crossing Irish Pub isn’t just celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, they’re having a St. Patrick’s Week! On Saturday it’s first come first serve from 10am until 2am. Try their new Irish sampler flight of 4 different Irish beers, or enjoy a 20oz Irish beer served in its signature glass. There will also be performances by The Pat Chessel Band, Brian & Michele Duo, Steel School of Irish Dancers, the Irish Pipe Band, Rob Thompson, and David Blair. There is a $10 cover, but you also get a chance to win tons of prizes including a trip for two to Ireland!

3. Dubh Linn Gate – Whistler

It’s all about the Guinness at Whistler’s Dubh Linn Gate. According to one Irish-born Yelp reviewer, they pour the perfect pint, and isn’t that what you want on St. Patrick’s Day? This Saturday from 12-5 pm it’ll be admission by donation to the Whistler Food Bank. Please bring $5 for the effort or a non perishable food item. Live music starts at 1pm with the Splinters and Ruckus Deluxe in the evening. And being Whistler’s only Irish pub, you know the place will be hopping!

2. O’Hare’s GastroPub – Richmond

Here’s something I didn’t know about: O’Hare’s GastroPub was the first pub in British Columbia to serve Guinness imported straight from Dublin. Founded in 1987 by Irish expats Jack and Jane O’Hare and currently being run by their daughter Erinn, it’s an authentic piece of Ireland and with 16 beers on tap, it’s the perfect place for a pint in Richmond. But that’s not all – the food is top notch, hence their recent GastroPub moniker. If you’re coming to eat, you can’t go wrong with any of their traditional Irish dishes – Dublin steak & Guinness pie, Irish beef stew, and the like.

This Saturday, you should get down early if you want a seat at this Richmond institution. They say, “We will have copious amounts of green beer, enough Irish Stew to sink a ship & Irish dancers at 1pm, 3pm and 7pm.  It’s going to be tons of craic!”

1. The Irish Heather GastroPub – Vancouver

I’ve always loved The Irish Heather‘s introduction on their website: “In a world filled with ‘Plastic Paddy’ establishments, the Heather stands out as a beacon of authenticity. An Irish House that is owned by Irish people who actually work there…how refreshing!!” Indeed.

There are so many reasons to love the Irish Heather: their separate space the Shebeen Whiskey House (only accessible by a tiny alley out their back door), their impressive whiskey list, their Irish beer selection, their good taste in music, incredible food (from quality bangers & mash and braised lamb shank to snacks like curry chips). Even their collection of Guinness memorabilia makes this space tick. When U2 come to Vancouver, they have been known for frequent this establishment. Enough said.

For St. Patrick’s Day they aren’t charging cover or fees, but they do require a reservation as they only have 200 seats, and they claim that they can easily fill that four times this Saturday.  As a result, they’re limiting seatings to a maximum of three hours. But three hours at the Irish Heather is three hours well-spent.

Note: Did we forget to mention your favourite Irish pub in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region? If so, leave us a comment to share your tips!

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Hidden Secrets: Powell River in February

February 17th, 2012
 

Photo: The Tin Hat Hut on the Sunshine Coast Trail, February 2012. Source: Sunshine Coast Trail Blog.

Situated two ferry rides from Vancouver on the Upper Sunshine Coast, the community of Powell River is often described as a town in transition, diversifying its economy and identity from its industrial past. I admit, the first thing I noticed when I arrived last fall was its mill, but when I left, it was the last thing on my mind.

I was really impressed by what I saw of Powell River when I visited briefly back in October. I couldn’t get over its wealth of preserved heritage and history, including large-scale residential neighbourhoods full of beautiful heritage homes. I was taken by its downtown full of quirky boutiques, cute art galleries, neat-looking restaurants and just its general artsy, eccentric, west coast vibe – something, perhaps, I wasn’t expecting. At least not to that degree.

Photo: Powell River during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, October 2011. Source: Robyn Hanson.

But Powell River’s more than just the town. Its geography along the Strait of Georgia is stunning and offers a multitude of quintessential west coast activities: multi-lake canoe circuits, long distance hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, lush temperate rainforests, mountain vistas, the ocean fjords, the beaches, the marine parks, kayaking, sailing, diving, fishing… you name it. Living here would no doubt give you the best of what BC has to offer – and affordable too, no less.

But this isn’t about living in Powell River. No, it’s about visiting Powell River in an often under-appreciated month: February. But for such a month, there’s a surprising amount of things you could do. Here are five activities to consider, to name but a few:

1. Powell River Film Festival

Photo: Outside the Patricia Theatre in Powell River. Source: Robyn Hanson.

Now in its eleventh year, the Powell River Film Festival kicked off on Thursday and continues all weekend until February 19. The festival takes place at various Powell River venues (including the Patricia Theatre – BC’s oldest-running theatre) and includes evening receptions, daytime films, art, live music, film contests, and the Adventures in Film Camp for Youth. Some of the featured films at this year’s festival include Louder than a Bomb, The Whale (the story about Luna, the Nootka Sound orca) and 40 Days at Base Camp. Full schedule can be found on the Powell River Film Festival website here.

2. Sunshine Coast Trail

Photo: Ascending Confederation Trail along the Sunshine Coast Trail. Source: Sunshine Coast Trail Blog.

The Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT) is a 180 km Upper Sunshine Coast hiking trail that begins at Desolation Sound (a 30 minute boat ride north of Lund) and ends at the Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal. You don’t have to trek the whole thing though. There are several places where you can easily access the trail if you want to do short day hikes. The lower elevations are often free of snow in February, but people wait until it gets warmer before they even consider hiking the rugged snowbound mountains in the mid-section of the trail. Not these guys.

Just last week four visiting Dutchmen trekked the Sunshine Coast Trail in full winter conditions. They hiked it for six days traipsing through rainforest and snow, covering roughly the middle half of the trail, overnighting in huts along the way. Proving that it can indeed be done, they have no doubt inspired future adventure-seekers. Read the rest of their tale here.

3. Powell River Festival of Performing Arts

Lovers of the performing arts will want to be in Powell River in late February. The Powell River Festival of Performing Arts is now in its 68th year, kicking off events on Monday, February 20. As described on Discover Powell River‘s website, “Amateur performers in piano, voice, strings, wind and brass instruments, speech arts, and amateur choirs, bands, string and jazz ensembles are invited to perform in the Powell River Festival of the Performing Arts. The Rotary Club of Powell River supports the development of our community’s amateur performers”. The majority of the events take place at the Evergreen Theatre, with a few hosted at Max Cameron Theatre. You can see the full schedule on the Rotary Club of Powell River’s website here.

4. Geocaching the Yew Trail

Turn your nature walk into a treasure hunt! If you’ve ever wanted to try out geocaching, the Yew Trail is the place to go.

Now we need to give credit to photographer Jennifer Gomez for introducing us to this idea in the first place. We found her Yew Trail photo completely by accident on Flickr. It was taken back in January while she took her parents geocaching around Powell River. She writes, “Mom, Dad and I went geocaching on the Yew Trail today. Yew Trail is between Duck and Mud Lake. We found 7 out of the 8 caches that we went looking for. I absolutely love the trails in this area. So GREEN!”

On top of that, we were spying on the Tourism Powell River Facebook Page last week and we read, “Are you a GEOCACHER? Yes, then word is Duck Lake trails – whole lot of new.” So that just proved that this has to be a geocaching hot spot. Plus, there’s just something so enchanting about a winter walk through a west coast rainforest.

If you want to learn more about geocaching around Powell River, sign up for a free account on Geocaching.com to have access to all the locations. Or simply ask on the Tourism Powell River Facebook Page – there a local geocachers there to help you out.

5. Powell River’s Historic Townsite

Photo: Looking down the hill in Powell River’s Historic Townsite. Source: Robyn Hanson.

If you’re a history buff and you appreciate architecture and British Columbia heritage, treat yourself to a self-guided walking tour of Powell River’s Historic Townsite. Designated a National Historic District of Canada in 1995, Powell River is one of only seven in Canada and the only one in western Canada. Now that’s impressive.

This part of Powell River is especially photogenic, partly because of the town’s original urban planning. Writes the Townsite Heritage Society of Powell River, “The Garden City and Arts and Crafts Movements influenced Powell River’s planners of 1910 in regard to the location and architectural style of our homes, parks, green belts, commercial buildings and recreation facilities.”

The self-guided walking tour consists of 25 sites around Powell River, including the Maple Avenue houses, the former Provincial Building, and the Patricia Theatre. Once you visit you’ll want to vote for Powell River’s Historic Townsite in the Great Places in Canada poll. The poll closes on February 29, 2012. And even if you haven’t visited, give Powell River a vote – spread the love. They deserve it!

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    About 604 Pulse

    Where should we go this weekend? This is a question we hear a lot, and it’s a question we often ask ourselves. So we had an idea: why not create a website where we explore all the things to see and do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, and then share them with you. We’ll provide locals and visitors personal insight into the cool things you can see and do in the region. Each week we’ll give you new tips, highlight upcoming events, share our favourite blogs, and tell you about our travels.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is a non-profit society, which represents business and community tourism interests from throughout the region. VCM invites you to come and discover the four distinct destination areas that make up Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Metro Vancouver, Mighty Fraser Country, Sea to Sky Country, and the Sunshine Coast.

    Do you have a suggestion for a blog post?
    E-mail us at info@604Pulse.com.

    Blogger Bio

    The voice behind 604 Pulse is that of Robyn Hanson. Born and raised in Vancouver, Robyn is a recognized expert on social media use for tourism operators. She has been an active participant and frequent contributor to online travel communities since 1998. With a keen interest in local history, geography, live music, and photography, Robyn has a passion for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains tourism region that is evident in the enthusiasm in the posts. Robyn posts almost daily to 604 Pulse and authors all of the site content.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains on Twitter
    604Pulse: Want to escape the city and go for a walk in the forest? Head to Lynn Canyon Park: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y
    604Pulse: @SeanEckford Egmonsters? Love it!
    604Pulse: Seeking adventure this weekend? We recommend river rafting in the Fraser Canyon: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y
    604Pulse: Egmont - an unfortunate name for a town but one of the most stunning views on the Lower Sunshine Coast: http://t.co/J7pMmoVC


     
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