We are not really the running type. We’d prefer to be enjoying a bottle red wine and a tasty meal on a downtown patio while watching the Nike+ Human Race in Vancouver on Sunday August 31st rather than actually running.  The events after the race hold the majority of our interest.  It sounds like a good day though.  Here is the details from the website:

Join us for the Nike+ Human Race 10K in Vancouver on 8.31.2008. Here’s what you can expect on race day:

When & Where?
On Sunday August 31st, head to the heart of the sports and entertainment district at Larwill Park. It’ll be all decked out so you can’t miss it.

And get there early! Gates open at 5:00pm with a DJ spinning grooves to rev you up. The Nike+ Human Race 10K race takes off at 7:00pm followed by three hot bands playing straight through till 11:00pm. It’s gonna be an awesome way to cap off the summer!

The Starting Line
Relax, there’s plenty of room for everyone. When you register to run in Vancouver you’re asked how long you think it’ll take you to run 10K—just your best estimate. Our trusty Human Race volunteers will be stationed along the road behind the starting line holding Wave signs so you’ll find the right wave easily. This ensures you run alongside others of the same general speed.

Check Out the Race Route
The route loops around the scenic Vancouver Seawall and over the Burrard St. and the Cambie St. bridges. Along with majestic mountain and ocean vistas, you’ll zip past the 2010 Athletes village currently under construction—find inspiration from the future home of the world’s elite athletes.

Entertain Me!
After the race, there’ll be lots going down at The Run World Stage. Everyone gets a race award—show your friends that you ran the day the whole world ran! And, there are prizes for the top racers.

Also at The Run World stage, you’ll see the results of thousands of global city racers from Singapore to Sao Paulo. You’ll experience how truly historical this global race is. Plus, that’s where famous athletes and special guests will be interviewed.

Finally, relax and enjoy the entertainment at The Human Race Stage. Stay tuned for our big announcement about the live bands on our blog. Can’t wait!

Feed Me!
Likely, you’ll be hungry and thirsty after you race. Chow down at the West Coast Style BBQ located in the Pacific Patio area. Or head to the Kilometer 11 beer garden (you must be 19+ to get in with two pieces of valid I.D. please) for a job-well-done drink.

Pack Pick-Up
When you register to run the Nike+ Human Race in Vancouver, there are four race packet pick-up locations, and you select one. Your pack full of goodies (including a Nike+ Human Race t-shirt, your timing chip, route maps, and more) will be waiting for you at the location you chose:

Nike Metrotown \\ 4700 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5H 4M1 \\ 604-430-6453 \\ Dates: Monday, August 25 to Saturday, August 30 \\ Times: 12:00pm - 9:00pm

NIKE Robson \\ 1124 Robson Street, Vancouver BC, V6E 1B2 \\ 604-683-2221 \\ Dates: Monday, August 25 to Saturday, August 30 \\ Times: Monday - Tuesday 10:00am - 7:00pm and Wednesday - Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm

NIKE Kerrisdale \\ 2120 West 41st Ave. Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z1 \\ 604-264-1246 \\ Dates: Monday, August 25 to Saturday, August 30 \\ Times: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

NIKE Park Royal \\ 900 Main St. West Vancouver, BC V7T 2Z3 \\ 604-925-9667 \\ Dates: Monday August 25 - Saturday August 30 \\ Times: Monday - Tuesday 12:00pm - 7:00pm and Wednesday - Friday 12:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday 10:00am - 7:00pm

Final Deets
What else do you need to know? Well, we’ll have a spot for you to store your gear for free while you race. And there will be plenty of port-o-potties on site, too. Phew!

One of our favorite things about summer in Vancouver is the Pacific National Exibition! It’s still on until Monday, September 1st.

In addition to the great rides at PlayLand, the agriculture shows, and the always entertaining marketplace, there are still a few good night concerts left… Tonight is Air Supply, Friday is 54-40, Saturday has Chilliwack and on Monday it’s Spirit of the West!

Also, the prize home, although not as impressive as past years, shall be ours!

Some history of the PNE from the website:

In 1910 Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier officially opened the first annual Pacific National Exhibition, known at the time as “The Industrial Exhibition.” The Fair was seen as a showcase of British Columbia to the rest of Canada and the world, and was the second largest event of its kind in North America, behind the New York State Fair.

Since the first Fair, the annual event has become the largest annual ticketed event in the province, and continues to draw in excess of 900,000 visitors during its 17 days.

Many significant events in the history of this province occurred during the annual Fair at the PNE. Throughout the Fair’s long life numerous technological firsts debuted at the PNE, including the first rotary telephone in the Pacific Northwest, and aircraft and rocketry displays. Many of today’s largest consumer shows got their start as a part of the annual Fair including: the Vancouver Boat Show, the BC Home Show and the Pacific International Auto Show, which all began as displays at the PNE.

Over the past decade, the PNE has evolved from its role as an industry showcase into a centre for entertainment and family fun. World class and award-winning shows such as Cirque Pop, City Rhythm and Bring on the Night were all created especially, and exclusively for the PNE.

Traditional favourites such as the Eukanuba Superdogs Show, created at the PNE in 1984 continue to thrill over 300,000 fair-goers annually.

The first line from the recent Globe and Mail article about the BC Ferries trouble sums it all up - “Another week, another service disruption for B.C. Ferries and its passengers.”

So what are the alternatives?  Have you tried the various services like Helijet or West Coast Air?

Helijets website has this blurb:

Helijet is proud to have been a part of the growth of British Columbia for the past two decades.

In November 1986, armed with a vision, one helicopter and handful of dedicated employees Helijet began commuter service between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria. The first scheduled helicopter service in Canada!

From that one helicopter and one route we have grown into a publicly traded company offering a wide range of scheduled and charter services with a fleet of 10 helicopters and airplanes and over 100 employees.

They really have an exceptional service available. We’ve used it many times!

West Coast Air is one we haven’t tried, yet. But we will it looks fantastic.  From the website:

A locally owned and operated airline with more than 35 years of Twin Otter scheduled service experience, West Coast Air offers up to 40 Twin Otter departures daily between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria. The company provides a convenient link to Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast communities, and includes service to Whistler during the summer season and will soon be announcing details on a daily scheduled flight to Courtenay/Comox.

Our scheduled service appeals to both business and leisure travelers, while also enjoying a wide variety of adventure and scenic tours from Vancouver, Victoria and Sechelt. Charters flights are available to all your favourite southcoast destinations including Butchart Gardens, Whistler, Tofino, Campbell River and more.

West Coast Air terminals are centrally located. In Vancouver, our temporary location is just west of Canada Place in Coal Harbour (until 2008 when the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre and Marine Terminal are complete), in Richmond at the YVR Floatplane Base, in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, in Nanaimo Harbour on Anchor Way and in Sechelt, on Wharf Street beside the Lighthouse Pub.

We are a bit late on this one as most of the festival is over but there are still a few events left like:

FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE - Your Choice!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 - It’s a special night for The Prospera Great Outdoors Film Festival presented by the White Rock BIA and sponsored by the Peace Arch News, Surrey Leader, Langley Times, KVOS TV 12, SuperHits CISL 650, 95 Crave FM and the merchants of Central Plaza mall! Special to this year’s festival, our guests will play programmer for one night and tell us what to play! Tonight’s choices – chosen by voting at our previous outdoor movies – are “The Chronicles of Narnia” OR “Speed Racer” OR “Ghostbusters”. Before the show, enjoy the music of Token Rhyme and support our evening’s charity, the Friends of the White Rock Library. Seating: As this evening’s screening takes place on pavement, we recommend you bring your camp chairs, lawn chairs etc. rather than sitting on the ground. Parking: parking is free on Johnston Road, George Street, Russell Avenue, Foster Street, Thrift Avenue after 6pm. Please do not park in residential neighbourhoods, at the Central Plaza shopping centre or private parking lots. Please obey parking signs. Buses: White Rock is accessible by buses 321, 345, 351, 352 and 394. Venue is accessible by Community Shuttles C51, C52 or C53. Venue is 1 block south of White Rock Central terminus. ?1524 Foster Street, White Rock. Seating opens at 6:30pm. Showtime Dusk – approximately 8:45pm, weather permitting. FREE.

Address: 1524 Foster Street, White Rock

604-536-4958

Visit Website

AND

FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE: “American Graffiti”

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 - The Prospera Great Outdoors Film Festival concludes with the comedy-drama, “American Graffiti” presented by the White Rock BIA and sponsored by the Peace Arch News, Surrey Leader, Langley Times, KVOS TV 12, SuperHits CISL 650 and 95 Crave FM. This year’s outdoor movie season comes to a sparkling conclusion with “American Graffiti” (1973/Colour/112 mins/PG), director George Lucas’ nostalgic, Academy Award-nominated classic about four teenagers on their last summer night before college. Before the show, enjoy the 50’s music of Sharon Young and the Restless and support our evening’s charity, the South Fraser Women’s Services Society. Seating: As this evening’s screening takes place on pavement, we recommend you bring your camp chairs, lawn chairs etc. rather than sitting on the ground. Parking: parking is free after 6pm on Johnston Road, Buena Vista Avenue, Fir Street, Prospect Avenue, Roper Avenue, Thrift Avenue and other business district streets only. Parking is also available in lots at the Star of the Sea Hall (15262 Pacific Avenue at Fir Street), White Rock Elementary (1273 Fir Street) and at 1321 Johnston Road. It is also available at Deals World (1350 Johnston Road) after 8pm only. Please do not park in residential neighbourhoods, shopping centre or private parking lots. Please obey parking signs. Buses: White Rock is accessible by buses 321, 345, 351, 352 and 394. Venue is accessible by Community Shuttles C51, C52 or C53. Venue is 1 block south of White Rock Central terminus. ?15208 Pacific Avenue, White Rock. Seating opens at 6:00pm. Showtime Dusk – approximately 8:15pm, weather permitting. FREE.
Address: 15208 Pacific Avenue, White Rock
604-536-4958	Visit Website

August 8, 9, and 10th this year!

We can remember as kids making the trek out to Abbotsford for the Airshow every year.  The highway would be packed and we’d all have a great time.  This year we just might check it out again.

There is a huge list of performers who usually fly everyday of the airshow but the favorite is usually the CAF Snowbirds.

Schedule

8:00 AM - Gates Open (tickets available at the gate)
8:30 AM - Static Displays Open
10:45 AM - Pre-Show Flying (Model Aircraft, Antique aircraft, etc)
12:00 PM - Opening Ceremonies/Main Flying Program Begins
5:30 PM - Show Ends
6:00 PM - Gates Close

What amenities are offered onsite?

• Food Concessions of all sorts
• Novelties and Ice Cream
• Souvenir and Gift Kiosks
• Airshow Program Booths
• Beer Garden
• Beer Kiosks (A fully licensed show site allows you to purchase a beverage and return to your family or group wherever you are seated)
• Cash ATMs
• “People-Movers” shuttles between areas onsite and the parking lots/campground
• Fully plumbed washrooms throughout the show site
• Info Services/ Lost and Found
• Autograph Booth
• St John Ambulance First Aid Attendants
• Security Personnel

Check the Abbotsford International Airshow site for more details

It’s been 21 years since the last big sandcastle competition on White Rock beach. This year’s Spirit of the Sea Festival is bringing back the excitement of teams racing to complete their sand sculptures before the tide washes them away.

According to the CBC:

After a 21-year absence, the sandcastle competition is returning to White Rock, B.C.

The event was shut down in the late 1980s after what was supposed to be a family affair spun out of control.

“We had tens of thousands of people whose idea of a great time was to get really hammered, break stuff, beat each other up and pass out in their own vomit, and the community didn’t really think that’s what they wanted,” White Rock Coun. Rick Todd recalled.

Todd, who is organizing the sandcastle revival as part of White Rock’s long-running Spirit of the Sea Festival, said he expects 50,000 people to attend the Aug. 3 event.

And he has a simple message for would-be troublemakers: Stay away.

Police will be out in force and the beach promenade, which had not been built when the competition was last held, means officers will have an easier time patrolling the event.

The White Rock Sandcastle Competition is happening on August 3, during the 59th Annual Spirit of the Sea festival which runs from August 1-4.  There are many many wonderful family focused activities happening at the festival like a salmon bbq, a pancake breakfast, bouncy castles, penny carnival, an aeronautical fly by, a really cool parade at dusk, waiter races, 3 stages of music - find the whole line up at: http://www.spiritofthesea.ca

Today the Pemberton Music Festival has begun and it doesn’t appear to be going smoothly.  I’ve heard about a number of problems already from a shortage of toilets and wi-fi, to a looooong line on the highway to get there.

Tomorrow it’s the HSBC fireworks again. It’s the USAs turn to impress and downtown will be even more packed.

Last but not least for July 25th and 26th is free drinks at Starbucks.  Get their new Vivanno drink for free with your registered Starbucks card.  We’ll be getting ours after dinner as we watch the sunset… Ah, summer.  Enjoy!

Formerly known as the Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire, the city’s annual free fireworks tradition held over four evenings at English Bay. The largest international fireworks competition in the world starts tonight with Canada’s entry at 10pm.

2008 Schedule:

Wednesday, July 23 — Canada
Saturday, July 26 — USA
Wednesday, July 30 — China
Saturday, August 2 — Grand Finale

The biggest coolest hanging out event in the year
With an estimated attendance of 1.4 million people, the fireworks competition is the biggest event in Vancouver. Crowds gather from mid- afternoon, picnicking and hanging out in the warm evening light.

Upwards of 1,000 boats flock around the two firework barges anchored off the beach. Fire tugs entertain crowds with water cannon displays. It’s a great opportunity for people-watching and enjoying street performers, musicians and hawkers.

Transport Safety
Public transit runs special schedules on the four nights for bus, SkyTrain, Seabus, West Coast Express and West Vancouver Blue Bus. Motorists may not view fireworks from bridges: leave time to find a good viewing spot. Carpooling recommended! Lots of cyclists and pedestrians require extra vigilance. Some roads are closed in the West End and Kits Point.

Making Fire Work
The Canadian fireworks displays are regarded as the most prestigious arena to unveil the latest pyro-musical techniques, for the top fireworks manufacturers in the world. Designers take about four to six hours to synchronize the fireworks for each minute of music for a 25-minute show. Each show uses 2000 - 4500 bombs. Colours are produced with closely guarded formulae, by mixing chemicals with the gunpowder that powers the displays. Deep blue and purple are the most difficult to create, with copper compounds. Blue and green, made with barium nitrate or chlorate,are most dangerous.

Who’s Best?
Judges score each competitor by synchronization, architecture (at low, medium or high altitudes), colour, design, music and length.

Watch free from English Bay, Kitsilano, Vanier Park, Jericho Beach, or West Vancouver.
Music simulcast begins at 10:00 p.m. on radio station ROCK 101 (101.1 FM).

HSBC Celebration of Light

As kids, it was one of our favorate summer destinations and it still is. Kitsilano Pool is heated and offers easy access “beach entry” for children. It is the only salt water pool in Vancouver and one of the few in the world. It’s huge:  137.5 meters long (11 laps = 1 mile), so you don’t have to do too many laps before you get a good workout.

Kitsilano Pool is just off Cornwall Avenue, at Arbutus Street.  It is open from May to September.  Life guards are on duty.  The pool has full shower and bathroom facilities, as well as a concession serving burgers (salmon burgers even), hot dogs, and French fries in case you didn’t have time to pack a lunch.

It’s best to head to Kits pool first thing in the morning otherwise as the day wears on both pool and deck space dwindles. Equally challenging is parking, but if you’re early enough you can try the adjacent pay parking lot or attempt to squeeze in along Arbutus Street.

For more information call (604) 731-0011.

The Surrey Fusion Festival starts today, July 18th and runs to July 20th. The City of Surrey is celebrating the recent designation as Canada’s Cultural Capital of the Year.

Surrey Fusion Festival will be Surrey’s largest 3-day multicultural celebration with 40 international pavilions celebrating music, food and culture. 5 stages of entertainment with headline performers on the World Music Stage and the Celebrations dance stage, all this in a brand new beautiful urban park.

Fusion Festival takes place July 18 to 20, 2008 at Surrey’s magnificent new urban park Holland Park located at King George Highway and Old Yale Road. This will be the largest multicultural event in Surrey’s history as over 60,000 people are projected to attend this free outdoor festival.

Festival brings together many distinct cultural heritages represented by ethnic and community groups hosting pavilions to present the music, food, costume and dance of their country of origin.

Headliners include: Celtic legends The Chieftains – playing Saturday night with The Cottars, Stepcrew, Nathan and Wheat in the Barley – will be an amazing night for Celtic music fans

International Bhangra superstar Jazzy B will host a huge Bhangra party on Friday July 18, with KS Mahkan, African Guitar Summit, Kiran Ahluwalia, Elite Bhangra Dancers and many more

Juno Award Winner Universal recording artist Jully Black will headline Sunday night with a stellar line-up of contemporary artists including Alex Cuba (currently #1 on iTunes USA Latin music charts) with Hayley Sales, Pascale Picard, Delhi 2 Dublin and Ache Brasil.

The “World Music Stage” will host internationally renowned headliners and local performers

The “Celebration Dance Stage” will feature some of the world’s best Irish dancers The Step Crew, entourages from Korea and China, Elite Bhangra and Hip-Hop crews, traditional oriental artistry, historical Persian performances, salsa, sambas, caporeia, calypso and modern tap.

Festival highlights include the Fusion Chinese Spectacular with a delegation of artists from China featuring actors, traditional dance and singers, cross talk artists, acrobats, and face change artists – beginning Saturday afternoon at 3 pm

Sunday at noon we all drum together in a performance featuring hundreds of drummers. Drum as One will be hosted by Bobby James of Destineak. Bring your own drums or make a hand drum onsite at the Drum Craft Teepee.

Multicultural dancers and ethnic performers will provide living colour on three additional Pavilion Stages.

Three full days of amazing music, food and culture will ensure this is a festival to remember.