March 17, 2010

By Kelly Hassen at 8:48 am

In the heart of Queen Elizabeth Park exists a magnificent triodetic dome, home to a natural green jewel. The guiding vision behind the creation of the Bloedel Conservatory was to demonstrate the relationship between man and nature in environments ranging from lush jungle to arid desert, faithfully recreating the whole range of terrains and incorporating a variety of flora and fauna all in one site. Built in 1969, it remains the second largest single-structure conservatory in North America.

This public urban oasis and therapeutic Eden showcases flora from the three major tropical biomes: rain forest, sub-tropics, and desert. Filled with over 500 species of plants, the environment is also alive with 100 free-flying birds, including half a dozen iridescent parrots, and includes a waterfall and a rock pool with Japanese Koi fish.

Host to everything from drawing and painting classes, school groups, and patients in search of horticultural rehabilitation therapy to wedding ceremonies and photo sessions, this sanctuary is favoured as a spot for tranquil repose, the quiet observation of nature, and the study of plants and birds for residents and tourists alike.

The Conservatory is still an extremely popular attraction but after 40 years of operation, the current challenge is the recent vote by the elected Park Commissioners to close the facility due to a $250,000 budget shortfall. The Park Board is currently developing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) in the hopes that a solution can be found. Closure is slated for later this year, but supporters of the facility are working hard to find a way to preserve this precious green space. Become a friend of the Bloedel at friendsofthebloedel.ca.

March 12, 2010

By Noa Gluberman at 8:39 am

A beautifully prepared environment, where deliberate thought has gone into everything from the garden paths to the plates on the tables, communicates to children that we care about them. – Principles of Edible Education, The Edible Schoolyard – Alice Waters

While summer may still seem a long way off, for Barb McMahon, founder and executive director of Sprouting Chef’s kitchen garden programs for youth, it’s just around the corner—which means gearing up for their kitchen and cooking summer day camp program.

Founded in 2009 and rooted in the values ‘respect for self, respect for each other and respect for the earth’, Sprouting Chefs offers a fresh perspective on where food comes from, how to prepare it with love and respect and how to make healthy, sustainable food choices.

Starting July 5, Sprouting Chefs will offer various full-day camp sessions for kids ages 8 to 15. These unique five-day sessions include:

  • specialized training led by professional chefs
  • trips to community gardens and farms
  • seasonal family-friendly recipes for soups, appetizers, main courses and desserts
  • food and kitchen safety training

In addition to the tremendous kitchen skills being taught, this program teaches the kids important life lessons such as how to have fun in the kitchen, enjoy healthy food and connect to others while preparing nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Sprouting Chefs also offers leadership and mentorship opportunities in their Level III program for young teen participants. You can visit sproutingchefs.com for more information and to register your sprout for this wonderful summer cooking camp experience!

Sprouting Chefs will be offering upcoming cooking programs at the West Vancouver Community Centre as well as various Burnaby and Vancouver Locations. Sprouting Chefs is a proud partner of Whole Foods Market and Gardenworks. Please visit wholefoodsmarket.com and gardenworks.ca for more information on these partnerships.

March 10, 2010

By Dana Mahon at 3:58 am

Mother, actress, model, playmate, entrepreneur, vegetarian, environmentalist, animal rights activist…is there anything left? Oh, of course, proud Canadian! Born on Vancouver Island in 1967, Pamela Anderson is at the height of her career and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Ms. Anderson is best known for her roles as C.J. Parker on Baywatch, the Tool Time Girl on Home Improvement and Vallery Irons on V.I.P., and for her always controversial love life involving the likes of Tommy Lee, Kid Rock and  Marcus Schenkenberg. Through good times and bad, Pamela has consistently been one of the world’s most-watched celebrities, having graced more magazine covers worldwide than any star of her generation. Pamela has stood the test of time, first arriving on the scene in 1989 and still going strong; holding her own throughout and showing the world she is here to stay.

Not just a pretty face

There is no doubt that when we think of Pamela Anderson what comes first to mind is her physical beauty. That really isn’t all there is to her, though—this stunning, voluptuous blonde recognizes the power of her celebrity and influence and has taken on several causes close to her heart, creating platforms for animal rights and AIDS research, among others. Here is a brief list of some of her most impressive achievements:

  • A strict vegetarian and advocate for animal rights, Pamela is an active member of the animal protection organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
  • In 1999, she received the first Linda McCartney Memorial Award for animal rights protectors in recognition of her efforts, and in 2003 she stripped down for PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” advertising campaign. Her work in this field ranks her just behind Justin Timberlake and Madonna as having the third most-valuable celebrity charity impact, generating an incredible $4.8 million for PETA and related causes.
  • In 1989, Anderson appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine for the first time; she has since gone on to appear in numerous pictorials and on countless magazine covers.
  • In March 2005, Anderson became a spokesmodel for MAC Cosmetics and the MAC AIDS Fund, which helps people affected by AIDS and HIV, and has since raised money for these causes during events around the globe.
  • She is a celebrity spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation.
  • She served as the Grand Marshal of the SOS motorcycle ride fundraiser.
  • In March 2006 she publicly expressed her condemnation of the annual seal hunt and requested an audience with Prime Minister Harper, but was refused.
  • She joined forces with PETA in a campaign for the boycott of fruit juice distributor POM. Anderson’s “Pom Horrible Campaign” resulted in the company halting all animal testing.

An Eclectic Acting Career

A brief stroll down memory lane can take us to revisit some of Pamela’s most famous (and not so famous) roles, including a range of characters from iconic beach babe to celebrity bodyguard. Here is a selected overview of her career to date:

Triple Threat – beautiful, funny and smart

Now that Pamela has entered the business world, the sky is truly the limit. From footwear and apparel to snowboards to spas and fragrances, the variety of her interests makes Anderson a force to be reckoned with. A savvy businesswoman and entrepreneur, Pamela has several business ventures presently in the works. She is currently working on a sexy beach club and spa in her favourite yachting getaway of Montenegro, and recently created a new line of unisex body fragrances, “Malibu by Pamela Anderson”. “Blue” is the lighter of the Malibu fragrances, with hints of vanilla, berries, white flowers and amber sandalwood, while “Malibu Night” offers aromas of pomegranate, black orchids, mahogany wood, amber, lotus and patchouli.

Whether promoting her fragrances, delighting her massive fan base worldwide with each onscreen appearance, working tirelessly for charity or pitching her signature Pammies footwear and apparel, there is no arguing that Pamela Anderson, a small-town girl from Vancouver Island, has truly made the big time and deserves every moment of her hard-earned fame!

January 24, 2010

By VancouverBC.com Staff at 9:30 am

With all eyes focused on B.C. this February, Vancouver-area Denise Relke’s hand-crafted, sports-themed silver jewellery is a must-have for anyone visiting the province this winter. This athlete-turned-jewellery maker’s story is in itself, positively Olympian!

They say that every cloud has a silver lining, and in the case of Denise Relke, this was almost quite literally true. When this avid runner’s broken ankle forced her to take it easy, she filled some of her newly-found spare time with a silversmithing night class – and fell in love with the art form. In true marathoner fashion, she focused on the long recovery road ahead, and to remind herself that she would once again run, she used her newly found skills to fashion a unique running-themed pendant…and quickly garnered herself some fans within her running group.

One thing led to another and she was soon crafting bespoke designs for some of her running circle. As Sporty Jewels’ reputation grew, so did the assortment of jewellery she designed, and soon she was embracing a multitude of sports and an ever-growing group of sports enthusiasts as fans.

Denise explains, “I decided I wanted to create some jewellery that would represent the passion of sport. At first it was just for me but now I’m thrilled to share my designs with everyone from the recreational sports fan to the Olympic level athlete. We think everyone deserves to celebrate their accomplishments with some jewellery and Sporty Jewels is striving to do just that.”

The Sporty Jewels (www.sportyjewels.com) line of jewellery now encompasses everything from rings, pendants and earrings to bracelets, cufflinks and even belly jewels. The range also uses a modern sterling silver alloy that is extremely tarnish resistant and perfect for the athlete in your life – whether it’s that special somebody or the one inside you. This advanced technology maintains its luster for long periods of time and requires only an occasional wipe with a soft cloth to remove any smudges – a perfect fit for hard-working athletes that want to sport a little extra sparkle. These distinctive works of art are also available in 14kt gold, and serve as perfectly wearable mementos of special events you’d like to commemorate in a special way by going that extra mile.

The Sporty Jewels have also started developing a following amongst athletes of the highest order, we’re pleased to have provided pieces to Olympic medal winners Silken Laumann, Carol Huynh, Catriona LeMay Doan and triathlete Simon Whitfield. With the games and athletes set to entertain fans around the world in February, these exclusive jewellery items are about to garner some fans of their own. Sporty Jewels are available for purchase at selected athletics retailers in Vancouver as well as online through the website http://www.sportyjewels.com – and for once it’s the silver that an athlete wants!

January 7, 2010

By Kuljeet Kaila at 3:26 pm

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa

One of the best escapes from busy city life is Echo Valley Ranch and Spa in Clinton, a 4.5-hour drive from Vancouver or a mere hour by air. The ranch spans over 160 glorious acres and is home to an exceptional Thai spa as well as a world class chef who prepares three healthy, wholesome (and tasty) meals every day. Visitors may opt to spend the entire day out of doors, enjoying adventures like horseback riding through Echo Valley, river rafting, fly fishing or hiking. Hit the spa next for some sensational pampering or enjoy a hot tub on the deck which overlooks the valley and has the best view of the bright, starlit sky. Business retreats, romantic getaways,

family reunions and even weddings are all popular reasons for visits to Echo Valley Ranch, which provides the means of seeing the great Canadian wilderness in optimum comfort. City slickers get to give their cell phones a rest while enjoying comfortable cabin or log home living, but still have access to the latest in fun in the game and entertainment rooms.

evranch.com

Big White Ski Resort

Searching for the best conditions for skiing and snowboarding? Big White Ski Resort should be your next destination! Set in the picturesque Okanagan Valley and beaming with sunshine, this award-winning powder-covered resort is legendary for perfect conditions. Big White is home to 118 market runs fanning from the summit, 2,565 acres of ski-able grounds, and 16 lifts—there’s a great selection of terrain for everyone. Other activities include cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, ice skating, sleigh rides and snowmobiling. Relaxing after a day on the hills is made easy with a choice of hot tubs and luxurious day spas, and world-class entertainment, dining and shopping are all available on-site as well. Big White is located just 56km (35 miles) southeast of the Kelowna airport, which features daily flights in from Vancouver.

bigwhite.com

Tofino

Tofino is known as a world-class nature resort. Whether you want to surf the wild waves, beachcomb or kayak, Tofino is a year-round resort with everything that makes the outdoors such a spectacular draw in super-natural BC. Visitors can take in the naturally warm waters of the hot springs, hike trails in the rainforest or relax on some of the most pristine beaches in the world.

The United Nations recognized Tofino and the Clayoquot Sound as an exemplary World Biosphere Reserve in 2000. There are about 20,000 gray whales and thousands of shorebirds who share the Tofino area and its surrounding waters with only about 1,500 residents, although up to a million visitors a year come to experience the rugged beauty of the area. With a collection of accessible local islands and beaches that stretch for miles, there are also lots of fun ways to explore Tofino—by boat, seaplane, water taxi or on foot.

tourismtofino.com

avatar

Kuljeet Kaila

Kuljeet Kaila is a Vancouver based radio and television broadcaster with experience reporting on news, traffic, entertainment and even sports.

Kuljeet is also a regular columnist for Vancouver View Magazine interviewing the hottest celebs and names in town, previewing movies, music and books among other things.

Kuljeet can be heard on Vancouver radio stations VIRGIN 9 5 3 and AM 650-co-hosting in the afternoon, traffic reporting in the mornings.

kuljeet@vancouverbc.com

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