Archive | May, 2016

Vancouver Brewery Tours Starts Walking Tours In Brewery Creek

17 May

VBTLogoAre you interested in getting a little fresh air and tasting a little craft beer along the way? Well Vancouver Brewery Tours has just announced a new tour that combines these two things perfectly, the Walking Tour of Brewery Creek. This area of Vancouver plays host to some great up-and-coming breweries and at the turn of the century, was in fact a vibrant local brewery scene. It now is home to Main Street Brewing, Brassneck Brewery and many others.  You can now explore this area on a guided tour which starts off at CRAFT Beer Market in the heart of the Olympic Village. From there, you will walk to Main Street Brewing, Brassneck Brewery and R&B Brewing (soon be R&B Pizza and Alehouse).  The tour will take approximately 3 ½ hours and will include 3 behind the scenes brewery tours with some very knowledgeable tour guides and well, of course, beer tastings.   The tours will run on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 pm at a cost of $65. You can reserve your seat online anytime, just visit Vancouver Brewery Tours. Cheers!VBTWalkingTour

 

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New In Town – Golden Thread Consulting: Support For Your Small Business

16 May

GoldenThreadConsultingFor those that follow us regularly, you know that we love featuring local businesses, makers and artisans. If you yourself are a local business, artisan or maker who is trying to do and be everything, we know all too well it’s near impossible.  Not only are there not enough hours in the day, but one’s sanity and quality of life come into play.  So today we would like to introduce you to the cavalry that is here to help, that being Maria Marcakis who is the Principal and Founder of Golden Thread Consulting. Maria is based in East Vancouver and provides customized administrative support solutions for small businesses under the title of Administrative Consultant. An Administrative Consultant is not a virtual or administrative assistant, but a hybrid between one who performs specific administrative work while consulting (providing expert advice, professionally). Assistance is available on an ongoing monthly basis or is offered on a per project basis. Maria has over 14 years administrative experience including executive assistance, recruiting, and all types of administrative work in for profit and non-profit organizations.  Some of the things she may be able to assist you with include:

  • You need to set up relationships with new or existing vendors to ensure smooth running of paperwork,
  • You need research done on a particular software you need to implement,
  • You want to create or finish that employee handbook, toolkit or report that has been on the back burner for 2 years,
  • You want to increase your employee satisfaction and need a survey, data analysis and/or ways to implement the changes you want to see,
  • Drafting presentations, consulting on how to give better presentations, etc.MariaMarcakis
  • Advice on how to streamline your website to create a better user experience,
  • Any miscellaneous higher level items that require time and attention that take you away from other aspects of running and growing your business.
  • Create new procedures to streamline your business
  • Help you plan and organize a Pop Up Shop

If you are wondering what it costs for these services, Golden Thread Consulting uses a value-based model. Maria does not charge by the hour, but quotes are based on individual business needs. Maria is more than happy to provide a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs.  We invite you to check out her website to learn more about how she can assist you.  She’s mastered the art of efficiency, something we aim for every day.  From having met Maria, we are confident she will be able to help you be more efficient in your business and complete projects which help move your business forward.

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Foto Friday – Record Number of Dogs In Foster With Vancouver BC SPCA

13 May

VanSPCAFostersAs those that follow us regularly know, we are big supporters of the BC SPCA and the work they do. We regularly feature pets waiting for adoption and often they are ones that are a bit harder to place.  In today’s Foto Friday we are featuring a collage of pets that have been patiently waiting for some time in foster for their forever home.  We have learnt that the Vancouver BC SPCA currently has a record number of canines in foster care.  Since they are not in the shelter, they are not as visible to those looking for a pet, but of course just as deserving of that forever home.  As of today’s writing, each of one of the dogs pictured is still waiting.   So today we’d like to give them some virtual love to help them find what they so need and deserve. If you would like more information about any one of these dogs, you can find more information on their website at Vancouver BC SPCA, 1205 East 7th Avenue. You can also reach them by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca. They will be more than happy to arrange a visit for you.  As always, we welcome any shares.

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Roving Food Tour – Tasting Plates Returns To The East Village May 18th

12 May

TastingPlatesMay18EastVillageRichard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing back his Tasting Plates event to the Hastings Sunrise area affectionately named East Village.  What is Tasting Plates?  It is basically a culinary roving tour that takes place at different food and/or beverage establishments.  You register for the event at the designated spot in this case, The Tiki Bar at the Waldorf  Hotel which is where you will show your printed or digital ticket(s) and pick up your Tasting Plates Cards. From there, you wander whether by bike, foot, car or transit to the various venues and nibble away to your hearts content. Each location will have specific menu items on offer for the Tasting Plates. Now the East Village is an area which has much to offer the food lover.  The spots Richard will be featuring on this tour include Nonna’s Table Café & Pizzeria located in the historic Waldorf Hotel.  This is an Italian restaurant with a retro Polynesian/Tiki feel to it.  Another stop includes Windsor Meats at 2276 East Hastings Street. This is a great meat shop and as an added bonus, the butchers have a great sense of humor which we hope would be on display during the tour.  Next up is the Italia Bakery, 2828 East Hastings Street and oh what a sweet spot this in. The cakes, the pastries and oh the biscotti, bellissimo!   Cannoli King food truck will be on hand with what else, of course, homemade cannoli.  Also, on the tasting tour is a stop at Di Oliva Tasting Bar, 2632 E. Hastings Street. We love this spot! An amazing selection of over 50 kinds of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars with some truly amazing flavours. Some of their items are currently stocked in our pantry. Lastly on this tour, is a stop at The Brighton, 2471 E. Hastings Street, this is a great pub-style restaurant with some unique offerings and when you get the chance, check it out the great little patio tucked in the back.  There is lots to enjoy on this foodie tour including meeting other like minded food lovers. You can purchase advance tickets for $40 through Eventbrite, otherwise if you wait prices are $55 per person as of May 15th.   The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and goes till 10:00 pm.

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Knifewear Pop Up Shop May 1 – July 31 At 845 East Hastings Street

11 May

KnifeWearLesAmisMelWooIf you love to cook, or know someone that does, then we suggest you make your way down to the Knifewear Pop Up Shop at 845 East Hastings Street. This pop up shop is now on until July 31st in the great space next to les amis du fromage in Strathcona. We recently popped in as they were getting set up on their first day and the place was packed!  What’s in store is an amazing selection of handmade Japanese knives which are yes, ‘scary sharp’ and oh so beautiful to boot.  Everyone working in the store is an ex-chef, so they can answer a whole host of questions and provide some advice on what knives work best for your personal needs. There are some other items on hand in store such as beautiful cutting boards made of Larch wood.  If you need knives sharpened, bring them down and watch it first hand. Of course, if stop in at Knifewear, we do recommend you also stop in next door at les amis du fromage and check out the amazing selection of cheeses. Outside of their cheese selection, they also have a delicious selection of gourmet frozen foods, giftware, cutting boards, crackers, olive oils and much more. And if the idea hasn’t already crossed your mind, you could easily pop in and throw together just about everything you need for a picnic.  If you wish to learn more about Knifewear and what makes their knives so you unique, we invite you to check out their website or pop by their Pop Up Shop on till July 31st.

KnifeWearMelWoo KnifeWearMelWoo2 KnifeWearMelWooSharpeningKnifeWearMelWoo3

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RESCUE ME: Lenny 4 Year Old Tabby Looking For His Forever Home

10 May

LennyWelcome to the next installment of Rescue Me in which we feature pets waiting for adoption at the Vancouver SPCA. Today we would like to introduce you to a lovely boy named Lenny.  Lenny is a 4 year old male tabby that came to the Vancouver BC SPCA as a stray through the Maple Ridge branch.  Although he had permanent ID and they were able to track his owner, he had been missing for a whole year!!  Due to this length of time missing, his previous owners felt it was best that Lenny stay with the BC SPCA so they could find him a more suitable home.  No one is really sure what or where he was for that year, but when found, he had FAD (flea allergy dermatitis) which they’ve treated and his hair is growing in nicely.  Lenny, as you can see from the pic, is a rather handsome boy. As for diet, he does need to remain on a Hypoallergenic diet. Lenny is extremely head shy and does appreciate a safe distance while getting to know people. He does startle easy on hearing loud noises as well as sudden movements, so a home with no children is important. The BC SPCA is working on desensitizing him to touch and creating positive experiences with him, but he will need a dedicated and cat savvy guardian to continue this with him. Lenny had spent some time at the recent satellite adoption center “Catfe” but he found it to be too stressful, so his friends at the BC SPCA say he should be the only cat in the home. Lenny is very playful, loves to chase his toys and loves to play with water. Thus, turn on a tap, he will keep you amused for a long time!  If you think you could give this handsome boy a forever home, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter would love to hear from you. You can find him at 1205 East 7th Avenue or by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca

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The 3rd Annual Great Grandview Garage Sale Is Back June 18

9 May

GreatGrandviewGarageSaleLogoAll bargain and vintage hunters it’s time to mark your calendars OR alternatively to get organized to participate. The Great Grandview Garage Sale  is back for a third year on Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. This is a multi-family garage sale that takes place all throughout the Grandview-Woodlands area of East Vancouver. Specifically from Broadway to the Burrard Inlet and from Clark Drive to Nanaimo Street. If you live in the area, you are invited to participate and it is FREE to sign up. Whether you live in a home, walk up apartment building, co-operative housing, no matter, everyone is welcome to participate. If you are the one looking for those bargains or vintage finds, think of it as one big treasure hunt. Who knows what you might come across in your travels. The Great Grandview Garage Sale will go ahead rain or shine.  To sign up to participate, or see a map of the current locations, visit Great Grandview Garage Sale. Remember, the old adage “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure”.  And for the wee ones or teens, there will be many thirsty shoppers in the area, so a lemonade stand or something similar, certainly wouldn’t be out of place.   If you have a budding entrepreneur in your home, time to get them organized.   Look forward to seeing on what we expect will be a fun treasure hunt.

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Foto Friday – Spring Time In East Van

6 May

MelWooWilderSnailSpring is officially arrived on March 20th and with it came the sunshine, Spring flowers and gosslings and ducklings. We recently enjoyed a perfect sunny Sunday wandering around East Van. Starting off at June Hunter’s Studio Sale, we managed to capture a pic of some stunning tulips in her idyllic backyard which is where her studio is located. After that a trip to Strathcona brought us to the Wilder Snail with a wander by MacLean Park which was bustling with people enjoying the sunshine and green space.  Which inspired a walk over to Strathcona Community Gardens which we found on last year’s East Van Garden Tour.  To top off the day, it was a stop at La Casa Gelato for ice cream in the sunshine.  We managed to capture some cool pics of our wander in and around East Vancouver.  Thought we’d share them with you. Photo Credit: Mel Woo

MelWooTulips MelWooRafters MelWooPurpleFlower MelWooPianoStrathconaCommGardens MelWooDucklingsMelWooKidMacLeanParkMelWooDuckStrathCommGarden

 

 

 

 

 

Crystal Shawanda Is Coming To The Waldorf Hotel May 13th

5 May

TheWholeWorldsGottheBluesEast Van if you love the blues, you are in for a real treat. Canadian Juno award winning recording artist, Crystal Shawanda, is coming to The Waldorf Hotel on Friday, May 13th.  Crystal Shawanda released her first single in Canada in 2008 “You Can Let Go”. It was the fastest climbing  single on the Canadian Country Singles Chart since Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s “Georgia” in 2000.  Crystal has performed at a Presidential inauguration in Washington, DC, won a Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year in 2013 and is now singing the blues.  She has just released a new album the Whole World’s Got The Blues and will be performing some of her new songs. Crystal has an amazing rawness and soul reminiscent of Etta James, Janis Joplin and Lucinda Williams. We had the immense pleasure of seeing her perform at the York Theatre shortly after it opened and what treat. Crystal is one dynamic performer.  We recommend you take in this show which is an unbelievable deal at $10. Show gets under way at 10:00 pm at the Hideaway in the Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings Street.  Tickets are available online from Ticket Zone.

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Take A Bow At The Cultch May 6 & 7 Celebrating Life & Music of David Bowie

4 May

TakeABowIt has truly been a year for losing music legends, so we were pleased to see this event coming to The Cultch this weekend. Avant Dance Co. presents Take A Bow which celebrates the life and music of David Bowie.  David Robert Jones known by most as David Bowie was an English, singer, songwriter and record producer and like Prince, he danced to his own beat. David Bowie was a true innovator and had a career spanning five decades before he passed on January 10th of this year.   This weekend, the Avant Dance Co. will explore the different faces of Bowie’s music through a variety of dance styles which will include ballet, hip hop and contemporary.  This presentation is for two nights only Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th at 8:00 pm at The Cultch. Adult tickets are $25, student/senior $20 and children 12 and under $15. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office.

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