The Vancouver Traveler » Miscellaneous

Twilight – The Movie With All Those Screaming Girls

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:29:19 +0000

I braved the long line up to take my girls to Twilight on opening night.
They were so excited and I was fully prepared for the crowds and a long wait in line to get good seats, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the constant and ear shattering amount of screaming that would spontaniously break out. It wasn’t so bad standing in line…but once we made our way into the theater it was almost unbearable.

I have read the Twilight series and was looking forward to the movie, I feel that the movie was lacking quite a bit and I was a little disappointed. I am wondering though, that if I was able to actually hear the whole movie, if I would have enjoyed it more?

flickr:ezy brenizzle

Between the screaming (which occured every time Edward appeared) and those yelling back at those screaming girls to “shut-up”, I am pretty sure I only heard about half of the movie. I am definatley going to go and see it again, once all the hype and long line of screaming girls are gone…..and I am sure I won’t have to force my girls to come with me!

Let me know what you thought of the movie and what your experience was like….

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

A Day to Remember…Less We Forget

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:23:33 +0000

Yesterday was Nov 11th, the one day in our country when everyone stops and remembers our people who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There were numerous ceremonies that were held throughout the lower mainland, and Canada.

Being a retired vet myself, I am always touched with this time of year. Especially now, since so many of our trips are currently engaged in Afghanistan. Some of the ceremonies that took place were;

First ever 8 plane formation of WWII Navion aircraft
BC Lt-Gov presents the memorial address at New Westminster Regiment Armories.
A new statue atop the Surret First World War Cenotaph was unveiled.

This is only a small number of the events that took place to honor our brave men and women in uniform.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Vancouver Considers Banning Bottled Water

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:50:50 +0000

The days of being able to purchase bottled water at Vancouver’s city-run facilities could be numbered.
City counselor Tim Stevenson wants those bottles of water gone, and is leading a campaign to ban their sale at all city-run facilities.
His campaign is gaining lots of momentum and support from inside his party as well as outside.
The entire metro Vancouver region is about to start a big public education campaign aimed at getting people to turn away from the bottles and turn on the tap.
Vancouver has access to one of the best glacially fed water sources in the world, and the city feels that everyone should take advantage of that great water and get rid of all those plastic bottles!

How do you feel about all those plastic water bottles? and do you think that this is something that Vancouverites should support?

photo credit – sxc.hu

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Edgewater Casino – Vancouver only Downtown Casino

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:59:31 +0000

Vancouver’s only downtown casino is located on the north shore of False Creek, just steps from BC Place and GM Place.
Edgewater Casino offers an assortment of 500 slot machines, all your favorite table games including craps, roulette, blackjack and baccarat and Vancouver’s only poker room.
Complementary shuttle service is avaliable for pick-up at most major hotels, contact Edgewater Casino Guest Services for more information.
Edgewater Casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. edgewatercasino.ca

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Street Hockey…anyone??

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:26 +0000

Sunrise Summer Kickoff. If you find yourself with some free time on the 5th of July, why not come and celebrate Hastings and kickoff the summer at this years 7th Annual Sunrise Summer Kickoff. Sunrise Square Parking lot will come alive from 10am – 3pm with street hockey, music, entertainment and tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

There will be special guest appearances throughout the day from the Vancouver Giants, an RBC Paralympian as well as members form the Vancouver Police Department. There will be several great oppotunites to win some great door prizes will also be available.

The Street Hockey Tournament is open to local elementaru school children, however, registration is limited. There are only 160 spots waiting to be filled (80 for kindergarten to grade 3 and 80 for grade 4 tp 7), so be sure to register early. Registration forms are available at the local schools as well as the BIA office.

Completed forms should be returned to the BIA office. On line registration is now available and can be found at www.hastingssunrise.ca under Events/Sunrise Summer Kickoff.

Photo Credits: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Soaring Gas Prices Effecting BC Tourism

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:29:55 +0000

The soaring price of gas is sending shock waves far beyond the gas pumps!
High gas and diesel prices are pushing up the price of everything from food, to the price of catching a cab, a plane or a ferry. All of which means fewer tourists visiting Vancouver.

The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board has said that of July 12, cab and limousine fares will jump 3.5 percent, due to rising fuel costs.

The Transportation Board has also reviewed the issue of implementing a fuel surcharge, and have agreed to issue a temporary fuel surcharge which will take effect July 1.
All B.C drivers will pay an extra 2.4 cents per litre at the pump in the form of a carbon tax.
As we all know these temporary taxes have a way of never disappearing, so expect this “temporary” tax to be around indefinitely!

Food prices will also continue to rise. The only way to get the food to the grocery stores and restaurants is in the back of a truck, so the cost of fueling those trucks will be passed along in the price of the food.

I think the biggest impact on the tourism industry in Vancouver will be the continuing rise in the cost of airfares.
Many airlines have introduces fuel surcharges. Last month Air Canada and Westjet added surcharges of up to $45 depending on the flight.

As the tourist sector braces for the impact, those of us living here in beautiful Vancouver, will just have to wait and hope for some kind of stability to take effect!

Would like to hear how the soaring fuel prices are effecting you, and what you do (if anything) to try and compensate.

photo credit:
taxi photo
airplane photo

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Dragon Boat Festival

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:00:21 +0000

Alcan Dragon Boat Festival has developed into one of Vancouver’s most anticipated annual family summer events. Recognized as North America’s biggest and best, the Festival is a true celebration of multiculturalism.

False Creek 604.688.2382 or visit www.adbf.com

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

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24 Hour Easter Seals Relay

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:00:43 +0000

The 24 hour Easter Seals Relay for Kids is more than just a relay running event. It’s 24 hours of fun and festivities. There’s no other fundraising event lik it in the Lower Mainland.

Teams can win great prizes and fundraising awards for their commitment to just “a little 24 hours”. Why: Funds raised by the Easter Seals 24 Hour relay for The Kids support the Easter Seals Camping program for BC Children with disabilities.

This event is taking place at Swangard Stadium, Central Park, Burnaby, 14 – 15 of June.

For more information visit www.24hourrelay.com

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Computer Swap…

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:00:55 +0000

Calling all geeks….there is a Big Computer Swap Meet featuring new and used computer items for sale. Saturday 7 June from 11am to 4 pm @ Croatia Culture Centre 3250 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC.

Admission: $3.00
Kids under 12 : FREE.

There is also a Pop Culture Collectibles Fair featuring Comic Books, Records (What are they lol) Collectibles, Books, Video Games, Toys and much much more!! For more information call 604.521.6304 or go to www.geocities.com/turnbuckle99/

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Step up for the Cure

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:23:54 +0000

This is not for the faint of heart!! Only courageous and inspired individuals, willing to challenge their physical limits, through night and day, to rasie money and awareness for cancer research.

This is the essence of Step Up for the Cure, the premier athletic charity fund raiser. This mission is to climb one stair for each of the estimated 11 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2008.

Every step counts, and honors the life of someone battling this devastating disease.

I hope to see you out at Thunderbird Stadium, 24 – 25 May. Register online at: www.stepupforthecure.com

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler