Archive | January, 2014

Rescue Me: Charlie & Friends at Vancouver SPCA Looking For Their Forever Homes

30 Jan

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Hi, my name is Charlie.  I am a 7 year old male cat. Some may say I’m a bit of a tomcat.  I am a well behaved indoor kitty who was used to living in an apartment until my elderly owner became ill. Now my temporary home is the Vancouver SPCA.  I am now looking for a new forever home.  I am friendly with people, will purr like crazy if you scratch my cheeks. I must be honest though and tell you I am not used to being around lots of people, kids or dogs.  After hanging out at the shelter for a bit, I have learnt I don’t really like other cats all that much, bit of an independent spirit I guess.  I do enjoy playing with my toys and like to use my scratching post.  Like most pets I do like a nice routine. I think I would be perfect company for an adult living alone.  If you want to see me online, you can check me out on my video.  Check out my beautiful green eyes, aren’t they lovely? Do you know someone who would like a handsome tomcat to hang out with?

While you are stopping by, can I introduce you to some of my shelter buddies? Like me, they are looking for a forever home.  Meet my friends Clover & Marigold and Jasmine & Astrid. They are bonded pairs of young female rabbits that came from a home with way too many bunnies. They said there were 11 of them that came together, but now they are the only 4 remaining from the original group. They are looking for a cool forever home to hang out at.  Do you know someone that could give them a home?  They are such beautiful bunnies. 

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If you or someone you know could give me or my friends a home, the Vancouver SPCA would love to hear from you, heck we’d love to hear from you, but you have to come see us for that.  You can reach the Vancouver SCPA by email at Vancouver@spca.b.ca or by phone or 604.879.7721, or stop by and see us at 1205 East 7th Avenue. Thanks!  If you wish to share this on Twitter or Facebook with your friends, we won’t mind. 

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Are You A Baker? Would You Like to Sell Some Sweet Or Savoury Goods? If so, River District Is Looking For You!

29 Jan

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River District Centre, 8683 Kerr Street, in SE Vancouver is hosting an indoor baked goods market for five Sundays in March starting March 2nd.  They are on the hunt for 13 local bakers who wish to sell their baked goods to the public. The markets will run every Sunday in March, being March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission will be free to the public.  If you are interested in being a vendor, visit their website at River District to review the Vendor Information and Temporary Food Market guidelines.  Application deadline is Tuesday, February 4th.  Vendors accepted for Baker’s Dozen will be notified by February 7th. To apply, see online Vendor Application.

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Opening Night Reception of Where Secrets Wander At The Cultch January 29th

28 Jan

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The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, invites you to the opening night reception of Where Secrets Wander this Wednesday, January 29th.  Where Secrets Wander is a collection of artwork by three artists.  Firstly, Jung A. Kwon who is a Korean born artist showcasing surreal-abstract paintings which draw from her experiences of a nomadic childhood. Another artist in the mix is Trevor Louden who will present a body of photo manipulation that mixes imagery taken from nature with psychological Rorschach tests.  The third artist, Dzee Louise, will showcase her work based on the human body and external spaces. The works of these there artists promises to provide an “intense, psychological experience”.   The opening night reception begins at 6:00 pm and runs to 8:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.   The exhibit runs until March 1st.

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6 in x 23.8 in

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Community Dance Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre February 1st

27 Jan

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South Hill Neighbours invite you to a Community Dance at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre February 1st from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, if you don’t know it, is a great little community hall located in SE Vancouver at Prince Albert Street & 60th. It has been recently renovated and will soon see the return of the Baker’s Market. This is a great facility that hosts live theatre, dance groups, culinary artists, painters, orchestras and more.  Outdoors they are growing herbs and are starting a food garden with native edible plants in the Spring.

This weekend though it is all about the dance. You, your family, neighbours and friends are invited to come out and dance. Or if you aren’t that great at dancing, come out and learn to dance. Dancing will be led by Basil Houtman who we’ve learnt has experience leading community dances.   He will be sure to get everyone up dancing.  No dance partner required, just show up and get ready to have some fun. This is a free event that gets under this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

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ICONS – Vintage Clothing Market Sunday January 26th Biltmore Cabaret

23 Jan

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This is not your everyday vintage market. ICONs which is being presented by Duchesse Vintage and the Eastside Flea is being billed as a ‘cool flea market’. There will be over 40 vendors including some collectors thrown into the mix. The theme of ICONS “represents the racy subculture of modern vintage lifestyle – easy livin’, freedom, counterculture, psychedelia, design & style cues from the best of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & a bit of early 90’s cultural icons”. Think “Keith Richards, Bridget Bardot, Iggy, Twiggy, Andy Warhol, Jane Birkin, Farrah Fawcett, Madonna, Steve McQueen, Patti Smith, Townes Van Zandt”.  At ICONS, you can expect to find some psychedelic posters, antiques, records, taxidermy, retro lamps as well as small furniture, cameras and a bit of this and that as well as change rooms for trying on clothing.  You can also expect to find a photo booth, drink specials and DJ Elliot Way spinning tunes from the 60s and 70s.   The event is being held at the Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward Street. With its legendary red-velvet décor seems like a perfect fit for this event.  ICONS gets under way at 11:00 am and goes till 5:00 pm.  This event is for 19+.

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Sunday School Wine Education Is Back At Vancouver Urban Winery

22 Jan

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Starting this Sunday, January 26th, Vancouver Urban Winery’s Sunday School is back with some wine education classes.  This weekend’s class is “The Price is Wrong”.   They will help answer what price has got to do with it when choosing wines.  The hosts will take you through a series of blind tastings of both inexpensive as well as some more expensive wines. To keep things fair, the wines will be from the same grape and the same country, just a different price tag.   You decide what you like best, as in the end, it all comes down to taste and what you like.  Classes run from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm and you are invited to stay post class for a mix & mingle from 9:00 – 10:00 pm. Tickets are $40 and available from Vancouver Urban Winery, 55 Dunlevy Avenue. If you can’t make this week’s class, upcoming classes include:

February 16:              France vs the New World

March 16:             Sommelier Smack Down: the Rematch (SOLD OUT)

March 30:            Sommelier Smack Down (Bonus Class Added)

April 20:               Food Fight: The Great Beer vs. Wine Showdown

May 18:                 BC vs. the World: Round III

June 15:                The Cider House Rules

For more information or to purchase tickets visit EventBrite, or email the winery at info@vancouverurbanwinery.com or call them at T:  604.566.9463.

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Reasons To Be Pretty On Now At Havana Theatre Until Feb. 1st

21 Jan

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The play by Neil Labute titled the “Reasons To Be Pretty” is now on at the Havana Theatre until February 1st. This is a love story about the impossibility of love.   You will be introduced to Greg who adores his girlfriend, Steph. Greg also thinks Steph has a few physical imperfections which he casually mentions. As you might imagine, all hell breaks loose after that.  Reasons To Be Pretty is a hopeless romantic drama about the hopelessness of romance.   The play runs until February 1st with pay what you can shows on January 21st and 28th, tickets on January 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th are $15, and shows on January 24th, 25th, 31st and Feb. 1st are $20.  Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets. Show is at 8:00 pm each evening.

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Gluten Free Expo At The PNE Forum Building January 25th & 26th

20 Jan

GlutenFreeExpoVancouverIn case you missed the recent news story in the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver is the gluten free capital.  Organizers of last year’s Gluten Free Expo held at the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre expected some 3,000 to 5,000 visitors, but instead 25,000 people showed up. This gives you some sense of the level of interest in gluten free living in Vancouver.   This year’s Expo will be held at the PNE Forum Building, 2901 East Hastings Street on January 25th & 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Whatever your reason for your interest in gluten free living whether medical, allergies or just general health, you will find a wealth of information at the Gluten Free Expo.  As well as a long list of exhibitors, a number of Speaker Series have been scheduled. Topics include: 

– Successful Strategies for Living Gluten-Free

– Allergen and Gluten Free, Plant-Based Living

– Using Immune boosting Gluten Free Grains

– You’re What You Absorb: Eat to support digestive wellness

For a full rundown of the Speaker Series and their times, visit their website at Gluten Free Expo Vancouver. Advance tickets are available online for $12 or you can purchase them for $15 at the door (cash only).  Children under the age of 10 are free.

If you are unable to attend the Expo this weekend, but wish to learn more about gluten free living in Vancouver, I invite you to check out Gluten Free Vancouver.

Also, why not check out some of the these local East Van bakeries offering great gluten free foods:

THE GLUTEN FREE EPICUREAN is a great bakery that offers light lunches as well as having a take & bake section. They are located at 633 East 15th Avenue (Fraser & Kingsway) and are open Monday to Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.  They have a great selection of cakes, muffins, cookies, bars, pastries, cranberry pecan or olive fig artisan crackers, a frozen food section with items to take home including vegan pizza dough, pie crusts sausage & veggie rolls and precooked pot pies & quiches.   Did I mention donuts! Lots of vegan offerings as well.

EAST VILLAGE BAKERY, 2166 E. Hastings Street. This is another great spot with delicious cookies including coconut macaroons, chocolate lava, rosehip thumbprints and pistachio lemon.  But their specialty is bread, baked fresh daily. The Gluten Free Buckwheat Seed Loaf is their most popular.  They also have some great vegan options including a vegan raspberry pecan bar.   They are open Wednesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and closed Monday & Tuesday.

ITALIA BAKERY, #104 – 2828 East Hastings Street, recently announced that they are now carrying some gluten free and vegan cookies, muffins and banana bread. They are open Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 – 5:00 pm.

Do you know of a place in East Vancouver that has a great selection of gluten free products? Feel free to share and add to the comments section.

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Eastside Flea At The Wise Hall Saturday, January 18th

17 Jan

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The ever popular Eastside Flea is back at the Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, this Saturday, January 18th.  Like past events, you will find an array of items from many local vendors. You can expect to find collectibles, records, antiques, vintage clothing, books, local artists such as RISH Jewelry with some handmade rings and, of course, so much more. The Flea gets under way at 10:00 a.m. and goes till 4:00 p.m. All ages welcome. Admission is $1.00.  If you miss it this weekend, the next scheduled dates at the Wise Hall are February 22nd, March 8th & 22nd and April 12th.

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East Van: Powell Street Self-Guided Tour – Odd Society Spirits, Parallel 49 Brewing Company & More

15 Jan

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I recently had the pleasure of some wanderings with friends exploring Powell Street at the foot of Commercial Drive.  This is a unique area with lots to tantalize the taste buds. I will make the bold prediction that this will be a destination location on a foodie/culinary tour before long. This is an area I highly encourage you to visit.  Why you might ask?   Well lets see, there is the Michelin trained chef at Kessel & March, the distillers of East Van Vodka at Odd Society Spirits with a beautiful Tasting Room and a Crème de Cassis that’s absolutely delicious. Then there are the brewmasters at Powell Street Brewery, Coal Harbour Brewing, Parallel 49 Brewing and Storm Brewing.  If that wasn’t enough, there is now the Bistro Wagon Rouge, sister restaurant to the Red Wagon Café, which serves up delicious casual French fare.

You can check out any of these spots at your leisure, but we’ve set out some recommendations so you can do your own self-guided tour:

  1. Breakfast/Brunch at Kessel & March located at 109 -1701 Powell Street, the Vancouver East Village calls it “ simple and sophisticated eats in an intimate and classy environment”.   Mia Stainsby of the Vancouver Sun says it “has the soul of a fine French bistro”. Great spot to start out for breakfast or lunch. Kessel & March is open Saturday and Sunday for brunch starting at 10:00 am.Parallel49RubyTears
  2. Need to walk off brunch?  Take a short walk from Kessel & March (3 ½ blocks) to Parallel 49 Brewing Company located at 1946 Triumph Street (at Victoria Street).  You can try a flight of 4 beers for $3.50, a sleeve for $3.00 or a tasting glass for $1.00.   Parallel 49 is open from Noon – 9:00 pm daily.  Don’t forget to check out their special infusions for the day.  Also, if you are try this spot closer to dinner time, don’t be surprised to find one of the City’s many great food trucks outside.
  3. Another short walk from Parallel 49 Brewing Company (1 ½ blocks) will take you to Powell Street Craft Brewery located at 1830 Powell Street. They also have a Tasting Room and showcase some local art.  They have a Brown Porter the brewers say will “shock your senses with an explosive bomb of flavor”. It’s said to have a deep roasted malt character with hints of caramel, toffee, chocolate, and nuts.  Oh, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this little brewery won big at the Canadian Brewing Awards this past year with Beer of the Year for its Old Jalopy Pale Ale.  This nano-brewer beat out 764 entries. Obviously, they are are doing something right. Powell Street Craft Brewery is open Wednesday to Saturday 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
  4. Coal Harbour Brewing is in the neighbourhood located at 1967 Triumph Street, but as yet no Tasting Room, but I hear Kessel & March carries their beer.
  5. Storm Brewing Company is located at 310 Commercial Drive.  This is a small craft brewery open Tuesday – Saturday with Wednesday being ‘brew day’ if you wish to watch that process. They offer informal tours anytime during business hours which I believe is until 6:00 pm. Best to call the brewery directly for their hours if you wish to make this part of your tour. UPDATE: Starting April 6th, 2014 Storm Brewing will be open Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  6. Take a short walk from Storm Brewing Company (2 ½ blocks) to Odd Society Spirits, located at 1725 Powell Street, to taste some East Van Vodka and Crème de Cassis, gin to be coming soon. They have a beautiful Tasting RooEastVanVodkam and the hosts are happy to share how they became distillers and what they are working on now.  From what I gather, they love to experiment.  Tours run regularly at 4:00 pm. Friday, Saturdays and Sundays.  Tasting Room hours are Thursday to Sunday from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. If you want to learn a bit more about the great minds behind this operation, check this recent write up in Eat Magazine.
  7. Now it’s probably time for some food. For that, take a short walk (1 block) over to Bistro Wagon Rogue located at 1869 Powell Street. This is casual French food with lots of daily specials written up on the chalk board as well as their regular menu.   Many of the dishes are perfect for sharing. TheBistroWagonRougey also have a very nice wine selection and great service. To learn more about their delicious dishes, check out the most recent review in the Georgia Straight. Bistro Wagon Rouge is open Tuesday – Saturday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
  8. If you aren’t ready to call it a day, you can always make your way over to the Princeton Pub at 1901 Powell Street which often has live music.

Some of the craft breweries and Bistro Wagon Rogue are not open Sundays, so you may wish to pick your days as to which spots you wish to visit, or break them up into a couple of visits. Regardless, how you do the tour, this is a great spot for exploring.

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