February 13, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Everywhere I went in Dawson Creek on Friday, Feb 11, the main talk was about the
Olympic Games and especially the
Opening Ceremonies.People here in the Peace River Country have a special appreciation for the importance of winter.
We live in a winter wonderland ourselves. I heard more than a few chuckles about our abundance of snow this year and willingness to donate some to the Olympic venues.
• We watched in
respect as the Georgian athlete who lost his life was paid tribute by the whole world
• We watched with
high regard as our First Nations Peoples opened the ceremonies and welcomed the world
• We watched in
excitement as we were introduced to the best athletes on the planet
• We watched in
great pride as our Canadian athletes made their entrance into the stadium
• We watched in
delight as we were dazzled by an amazing show of Canadian Talent and Spirit
• We watched in
reverence as the Olympic Torches were carried and lit by Canada's Favorite Athletes
• We watched in
anticipation for the coming days!
Way to Go Vancouver! We Love You Canada! Welcome World!This Mile O Citizen will certainly be following the 2010 Winter Olympics! Anyone want some snow?
February 13, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Avoiding steep ticket prices to the Vancouver Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony in BC Place, my friends and I joined the majority of Vancouverites and visitors on the streets. Every bar, restaurant and Olympic Pavilion seemed to be showing the ceremony on big TV screens. Livecity Yaletown in David Lam Park was at capacity so we caught the athletes’ entrances, Nelly Furtado performing with Bryan Adams and more on TV at The Hub bar before heading down to False Creek. Across the water, the Athletes’ Village and Vancouver’s globe-shaped Science World were gloriously lit up.
As we passed the backstage area of BC Place, dancers still in costume were streaming out ready to party. A surreal case of art and reality colliding. After stopping for a curry at the Plaza of Nations food stalls, we continued along False Creek to Ontario House at Concord Place. Unforgettable ‘wow’ moments followed as, on the huge outdoor screens we watched Wayne Gretzky light the Olympic cauldron, just as to our left, an enormous burst of red fireworks exploded into the night sky above BC Place. Quite literally, the city went wild.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver - Dining
View a larger image on flickr.com
After catching the Olympic Torch Relay on artist-haven Granville Island, it was time for a spot of lunch. Next to the Aquabus Ferry dock and the Public Market, sits Bridges Restaurant with its bright yellow roof and huge patio (one of the best for al fresco dining in summer). Now converted into the House of Switzerland, it offers Swiss athletes and everyone else, a chance to re-fuel, warm by the fire and catch the Games on flatscreen TVs.
As school groups posed in front of a huge photo of the Swiss Alps, we headed through the restaurant decorated with Swiss flags and memorabilia – to the back deck, where under heat lamps we could watch fishing boats, shoppers and even a Bernese mountain dog, brought in especially.
Bridges are offering a complete Swiss menu in addition to their usual West Coast fare. Depending on the day, freebies include gorgeous chocolate and Ricola sweets, accompanied by live music. We sampled fizzy soft drink, Rivella and contemplated cocktails named ‘Swiss Miss’ and ‘Glacier Express’. Calorific cheese fondues follwed, and we completed our foray into Swiss cuisine with apple strudel. Yodelay!
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Whistler, Attractions
Find more information about Whistler - Attractions
View a larger image on flickr.com
One of the goals of the 2010 Olympic Games was to be the greenest / most environmentally games ever. Since I have an interest in the environment and sustainability I did a bit of research. I’ve listed a few of the interesting facts I found below:
Richmond Oval’s roof: The enormous (approximately 200m by 100m) roof at the Richmond Oval was made from wood that had been killed by pine beetles. At one time, the wood was thought unusable.
Sliding Centre: If you were wondering why the track at the sliding centre is painted white, it isn’t to look like snow, it’s to minimize the amount heat absorbed.
Medals: Even the gold, silver and bronze medals have an environmental aspect to them. 2.8 million tones of metals from electronics that were headed for a land-fill were used in making the medals.
Making the most of the rain: It’s no secret that Vancouver gets its fair share of rain. May of the new venues will collect rainwater and reuse it for flushing water efficient toilets, heating and even making ice at skating venues.
Whistler Olympic Park: The majority of wood waste generated from the construction of the Whistler Olympic Park was reused to build temporary structures, or to revegetate the area.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Farms & Markets
Find more information about Vancouver - Farms & Markets
View a larger image on flickr.com
Practically racing along Kits Beach’s seawall, with sweeping views of Cypress and Grouse Mountains across the Burrard Inlet, I rounded the corner to see masses of people converging on Granville Island. Phew, just in time. Finding a great vantage point on the dock by the Public Market, I joined thousands of cheering fans as the Olympic Torchbearer made his way through the throng and onto a waiting dragon boat. Helicopters thundered overhead and at sea, police boats allowed only Olympic vessels on the water. “I’ve been wondering where all the people were in Vancouver,” said Carla who’s here from Germany. “And here they are – it’s so exciting!”
Next to me, tears rolling down her cheeks, was Wendy Matsubuchi. Quite overcome, she waved proudly to her mother Esther rowing on a dragon boat team accompanying the Olympic flame. A breast cancer survivor, Esther’s dragon boat racing has taken her all around the world.
As the flame departed across the water to Yaletown on its final journey to BC Place, a huge swathe of the crowd followed along the banks. Tip: take a tiny Aquabus ferry from Granville Island around False Creek to catch great Olympic action. I headed to my fave coffeshop in the market, Petit Amis, where the atmosphere was still buzzing.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Parks
Find more information about Vancouver - Parks
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Olympic Flame was carried through Stanley Park in the morning and then exited the park following a route that crossed throughout downtown Vancouver on its last day on the road.
The torchbearers on this part of the route, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sebastian Coe, had great views of the downtown skyline and north shore mountains, and passed attractions like the Vancouver Aquarium, the 9 o'clock gun, Lumberman's Arch, and the replica figurehead from the SS Empress of Japan.
But most striking to see was the flame's glow cutting through the rainforest in the pre-dawn darkness. When the flame came by, it was moving fast. Not the greatest photo-taking conditions, but a great memory.
February 11, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
View a larger image on flickr.com
They are adorable, they are everywhere you turn, my kids love them, but what the heck are those things? This is the question that is sometimes asked about the Olympic mascots. Out of curiosity (and so I could answer my daughter’s questions) I did a bit of research and found out the following about the mascots and some other BC creatures:
The Mascots:
Miga: a young sea bear (part killer whale, part Kermode bear), who surfs the waves of Tofino in the summer and snowboards Vancouver’s local mountains in the winter.
Sumi: a spirit who lives in the mountains of BC and comes from many different backgrounds (representing the diverse backgrounds of Canadians).
Quatchi: a young hockey loving Sasquatch who comes from the mysterious mountains of Canada.
MukMuk: not an official mascot, but more of a sidekick. Mukmuk is a Vancouver Island marmot that lives in the mountains of Vancouver Island, and is pictured above.
Other Mythical (Non-Mascot) BC Creatures:
Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot): This creature has allegedly been spotted from the Fraser Valley up to Prince George. While there have been Sasquatch reports all over the world, over half of the reported sightings have happened in BC.
Ogopogo: A lake monster that lies in the Lake Okanagan. Depending on who you ask, it’s part snake, goat and/or horse. Reports have varied on its actual size (from 5m to 25m). There is an average of six Ogopogo sightings a year of this monster.
The Griz: A man with shoulders six feet wide who wears a grizzly bear coat and hat and lives in the mountains near Fernie Alpine Resort. He shoots a giant musket into clouds so powder snow drops from the clouds and covers the resort. In February of each year the town of Fernie hold a festival in his honour.
February 11, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Dawson Creek, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
View a larger image on flickr.com
It's no wonder Dawson Creek won a place on the Gamestown Podium... I could hear the cheering from miles away...
Did you get a chance to check out the letters on the Dawson Creek gamestown2010 website? If you did, which ones did you enjoy?
I was so impressed with the stories I read. Once I started I couldn't stop reading. I found entry after entry by people just like me who love our lifestyle here in our northern city.
I realized that a common experience we all value so highly is our deep sense of community... we do so much, and we love to do it together!
• We play outside in the snow and sun
• We splash around in pools, lakes and rivers
• We cheer from rodeo stands, sidelines and bleachers
• We fill our auditoriums for big concerts, small concerts and all the in between concerts
• We volunteer, we dance, we eat and we sing
• Together!
I read stories about our big beautiful blue skies, our spectacular northern lights, our fresh air and clean water.
There are stories about our world-class wind park, our expanding use of renewable energy and commitment to a balanced industry and healthy environment. We are green and proud of it!
For this Mile O Citizen, Dawson Creek will always have a place on the podium!
I'd love to hear your stories of what you love about the Peace River Country and her people.
February 11, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Shopping
Find more information about Vancouver - Shopping
View a larger image on flickr.com
I’ve firmly attached myself to the Olympic gear bandwagon. It started with a pair of red mittens, and I’ve since added a hoodie, a maple leaf toque, a t-shirt, and face paint. Whew.
Here’s where to gear yourself up for the Games:
Clothes: Plenty of shops are selling Canada-themed items. The Olympic Superstore at The Bay is well-stocked with official Olympic gear. Some stores have options for other countries; try Roots and lululemon. Customize your own tee at Bang-On or Cherry Bomb.
Flags: Head to the Flag Shop!
Face Paint: Face paint shows the team – and anyone you accidently rub up against – that you’re a true fan. Dressew and Party Bazaar are my favorite places in town to pick up good quality face paint – Dressew was almost sold out, so move quickly!
Olympic Superstore at The Bay: Granville & Georgia; Roots: various locations; lululemon: various locations, Bang-on (961 Robson St or 1062 Davie St); Cherry Bomb (841 Granville St); Flag Shop (1615 Powell St); Dressew (337 W Hastings St); Party Bazaar (215 W 2nd Ave).
February 10, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Boating & Sailing
Find more information about Vancouver - Boating & Sailing
View a larger image on flickr.com
On February 12, the 124-year-old Vancouver Rowing Club will become Saxony House, one of the pavilions representing Germany at the Olympics. The public is welcome to watch competitions on plasma screens, meet athletes and enjoy live music. Art and innovation from the Saxon state in Germany are also on display. And you could meet Saxel, Saxony's moose mascot during the Games. If you don't meet Saxel, you can be
friends on Facebook. Saxony House is open noon to 2 a.m. daily with free admission.
When the Winter Games are over, the Vancouver Rowing Club will still be there. It is on the edge of Stanley Park, a short walk from the Vancouver Aquarium, and a bit longer walk from English Bay where you can watch the Vectorial Elevation light show in the evenings during the games.