Vancouver Foodster Brings Tasting Plates To Commercial Drive August 12

24 Jul

ILiveInEastVanMarch302013 356Richard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing  back his Tasting Plates to Commercial Drive.  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, Federico’s Supper Club, 1728 Commercial Drive.  You show up with your printed or digital tickets that you purchased online and in turn receive your Tasting Plates Cards and menus.   Thereafter, 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.

Commercial Drive is a place we love to frequent. It has so much offer whether on the Drive itself or the neighbouring streets surrounding the Drive. If you are looking for a bite to eat, a coffee, a drink, live music, or just hanging out people watching, there are so many choices on the Drive. Richard will be featuring many of our favourites during his upcoming edition of Tasting Plates. On August 12th, you will start things off at Federico’s Supper Club.  Outside of enjoying something delectable from Chef Romy and always amazing service, you will have the pleasure of listening to the sounds of Lesismore. Next up on the list is Fratelli Bakery, 1795 Commercial Drive, which is literally a hop across the street.  Fratelli Bakery makes many Italian pastries including  breads, cookies, cupcakes, biscotti and cakes. This is our go to place for St. Honore cake.  Others can try to imitate, but in our opinion, Fratelli’s is the best hands down.   Next up is Prado Café at 1938 Commercial Drive which is all about perfecting great coffee. You won’t be disappointed. Another stop on this tour is Strange Fellows Brewing at 1345 Clark Drive which is one of East Van’s newer craft breweries and they do like to celebrate the strange.  While there, be sure to take a peak in the Charles Clark Gallery aptly named for its intersecting streets.  The gallery has been featuring some great local artists. There is lots to eat, taste and see on this Tasting Plates tour.   Early bird tickets are now on sale for $29 per person until July 28th.  After that date, you can purchase advance tickets for $40 per person after July 28th until August 10th after which tickets are $50.  So planning early is the way to go. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. This is sure to be a tasty tour. Bon Appetite!

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Artful Sundays Return To The Napier Greenway August 9-30

22 Jul

Artful Sundays 2015 Poster 2Artful Sundays return to the Britannia Community Centre this summer. This is an outdoor visual arts market that begins Sunday, August 9th and will run every consecutive Sunday until August 30th. This event now in its 15th year will feature local artists, special events, artist demonstrations, workshops and more. There will also be lots of live music on hand and we’ve set out below who will be on hand for each Sunday. The event will take place in the Napier Greenway at Napier Street & Commercial Drive from Noon – 5:00 p.m.

August 9
East Van Letter Writing Club – Resurrecting The Lost Art of Letter Writing
Live Music With Backspin Band Noon – 2:30 pm &
Russell Shumsky & Bud Kurz 2:30 – 5:00 pm

August 16

Workshop with Magpie’s Nest Community Art Space –
Making flowers from recycled plastic bottles
Live Music with Doug Thordarson Noon – 2:30 pm &
Rio Samaya 2:30 – 5:00 pm

August 23

Workshop with Avenue for/des Arts (AVA) Community Arts Table
Live Music with Lindy & the Crows Nest Noon – 2:30 pm
Katheryn Petersen  3:00 – 4:00 pm
Caitlan Read 4:00 – 5:00 pm

August 30

Workshop with Helen Spaxman & Diane Wood
Mixed Media Button Making Workshop
Live Music with Tim Sars Duo Noon – 2:30 pm &
Cosmic Wink 2:30 – 5:00 pm

Come out and support the local artists, musicians and workshops.

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What You Can Do To Help Urban Wildlife In This Heat Wave

21 Jul

KittenLauraSchirmacherAs you might imagine this record heat wave is making it tough on some of Vancouver’s urban wildlife. A recent Province article highlights the issue. It states that Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association co-founder Karen Duncan is reporting that they are seeing more stray cats in very poor shape due to dehydration. As they have no rain water, they like have little or nothing to drink. If you suspect there are feral or stray cats in your neighbourhood, Karen suggests putting out a bowl of water.

It was also reported that some birds have landed in swimming pools and have become water logged. Karen at VOKRA suggests some residents put out bird baths to assist our feathered friends.

It seems even the bees could use our help. It has been recommended, that you set up a shallow pan of water with rocks or marbles for bees to have a drink. Seems if you add a scent, the bees will seek out water sources that are scented say the experts. If you want to learn more, check out Why Honey Bees Need Water.

If you see wildlife in distress, here are a few options:

If you see a feral/stray cat or kitten in distress, you can contact VOKRA by telephone at 604-731-2913 or by email at info@vokra.ca

To report an animal in distress (including wildlife), the BC SCPA’s toll free hotline is 1-855-6BC SPCA OR 1-855-622-7722. This call centre is open 7 days per week, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm as well as Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. If there is an animal emergency outside of these hours, the BC SPCA states that you are to contact your local police department or RCMP.

If you see other wildlife, birds, raccoons in distress, contact the Wildlife Rescue Association in Burnaby at 604.526.7275.

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Photo Credit (Cat): Laura Schirmacher

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Rescue Me: Arwin Labrador Retriever Cross Is Looking For Her Forever Home

20 Jul

ArwinSPCAWelcome 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 playful girl named Arwin. Arwin is a black female Labrador Retriever Cross who is just over 3 years old.  She is an active and exuberant lab with a super sweet disposition. Unfortunately this girl spent some time being tethered in a yard prior to being brought to the SPCA.    Thus, Arwin needs a home where she can get lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation.  This girl loves her toys and has a very keen sense of smell.  Arwin needs a saavy dog guardian that can give her some structure and positive based training to improve her doggy manners. She has been socialized with other dogs, but needs continued socialization so she learns to play well with others.  Her friends at the Vancouver SPCA do not believe she would be suited to having cats in the home. If you think you can give Arwin a new home, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue would love to hear from you. You can reach the Vancouver SPCA by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email atvancouver@spca.bc.ca. As always, we are grateful for those that share this information.

UPDATED: July 29, 2015 Arwin has found her forever home.

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The Day Trippers Beatles Experience At Federico’s Supper Club July 24

16 Jul

DayTrippersDo you love the Beatles? Well then Federico’s Supper Club, on the Drive has just the evening for you. On Friday, July 24th, Federico’s Supper Club will be hosting The Day Trippers Beatles Experience.   The Day Trippers are a Vancouver based Beatles tribute band. They will transport you back in time to the early 1960s. They will showcase the lively music and spirit that made the Beatles a house hold name. The evening includes dinner, show and dancing for $55.  Reservations are from 6:30 pm with the performance at 9:45 pm. You can make reservations by phone or online at Federico’s Supper Club.

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Carnival Dance Party At The Croatian Cultural Centre July 25

15 Jul

SalsaReggae2015_WEBDo you have lots of energy, love to dance and move your feet? Well then this party is for you. Melo Productions is hosting SOCA Meets Salsa & Reggae Dance Party at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, on Saturday, July 25th.  You can expect to find Latin and Caribbean vibes that will be sure to get and keep you moving all night long.  Music will be by Daddy Mikey, Latin DJ El Nino and DJ Grindhouse.  Doors open at 8:00 pm and the dance party gets under way at 9:00 pm. Tickets are $15 and available in advance from TicketWeb.

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Sips Cocktail Emporium Helping You Make The Perfect Cocktail

13 Jul

Mother's Day Gold and PinkMany people are aware there has been an evolution in the craft beer industry in East Vancouver.  At the same time, cocktails have been making a big come back as evidenced by some recent articles in BC Living and the Westender about the best cocktails, best bartenders and now you can even find a Vancouver Distillery Tour. This new tour is brought to you by the ladies of Off The Eaten Track Culinary Walking Tours.  One of the stops on their tour is a personal favourite Odd Society Spirits which is located at 1725 Powell Street just East of Commercial Drive.  Off Society Spirits has been quite inventive with their concoctions made from their East Van Vodka, Wallflower Gin and Crème de Cassis. For those wanting to try their hand at making their own cocktails, Odd Society Spirit, outside of having some great spirits, has some very tasty recipes on their website. These are definitely worth giving a try.

In case you haven’t noticed, there has also been a recent influx of local entrepreneurs making bitters and elixirs like East Van’s Graveley & Sons. You will find many of them at the various artisan and craft fairs around Vancouver. Of course, putting together some of these concoctions may be a bit daunting for some of us seasoned wine drinkers looking for something different every now and again.  Well help is now here for those that wish to make and mix their own cocktails at home.  Sips Cocktail Emporium is an online store created by an East Van couple, Darcy Broatch and Jordie Yow. They have turned their passion for cocktails into an online store that includes everything one would need to make the perfect cocktail. Located in East Vancouver, they have everything but the kitchen sink really and the booze of course. That’s on you. Their website GoodSips.Ca carries a selection of bitters sourced locally and abroad, syrups, cocktail shakers and every other accessory you could imagine. In a mere few weeks, Darcy and Jordie will be taking their passion to the next level and opening a physical location in Mount Pleasant at 339 E. Broadway. After which, they will start holding workshops so you can taste, smell and see everything first hand.  We are looking forward to this great new addition in East Vancouver. In the meantime, we invite you to check out their online store which has all the accessories for the perfect cocktail! Cheers.

Photo Credit Above: Sips Cocktail Emporium
Photo Credit Below: RD Cane

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1st Annual Iced Tea Festival At Heritage Hall July 19, 2015

10 Jul

IcedTea2BenEarwickerWell it’s summer and having a refreshing drink close at hand is certainly front and center on our minds these days. So this upcoming event caught our eye.  On Sunday, July 19th Tea Sparrow is hosting the 1st Annual Iced Tea Festival at the Heritage Hall. As many know, tea has been gaining in popularity in recent years for many reasons including the many touted health benefits.  At the upcoming Iced Tea Festival, you will have the opportunity to sample and score 16 different iced loose leaf teas from Germany, Canada and the U.S.A.  Co-Founder of Tea Sparrow Michael Menashy says “This is going to be an incredibly exciting and interactive event. Where else do you get to try every tea on display, score card it, and have your opinions help shape and change the flavour of the industry?”   The 1st Annual Iced Tea Festival takes place at the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street on Sunday, July 19th and gets underway at 11:00 am and goes till 6:00 pm.  Tickets are available in advance – 2 for $10 for adults or $10 each at the door and children under 12 are free. To purchase your tickets in advance, visit Tea Sparrow or check out their Facebook page for updates about the upcoming festival.

Photo Credit: Ben Earwicker

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River District Drive-In Movies This Summer Starting July 12th

8 Jul

FilmMovieReelWell it’s time to get a little nostalgic folks.  River District is hosting drive-in movies this summer.  For those that have never experienced a drive-in movie, now’s your chance.   River District will be hosting four of them starting this Sunday with a personal favourite, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  This is a classic 80s movie to which you are encouraged to wear your 80s garb.   Also on hand for this event, will be a selection of food trucks. They anticipate the following line up for Sunday’s feature movie:

Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck
Tasty Torpedo
Cheeses Crust
Reel MAC and Cheese
Street Meat Truck
Mr. Cool Ice Cream Truck
Chili Tank

The River District Drive-In is located at 3650 E. Kent Avenue South which is located just west of Boundary Way and before Kinross Street in SE Vancouver. Gates open at 6:30 pm and the movie gets under way at dusk (approx. 8:00 pm).  River District will provide you with the FM station for audio, so a working radio/FM station will round out your experience.

Sunday, July 26 – Indiana Jones & Raiders of the Lost Ark
Sunday September 6  – DOUBLE FEATURE
The Outsiders and Stand by Me

This is a free event and there is space for 250 cars, but it is first come first served. So if you are keen, best to arrive early.

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