Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Canada Wins Gold in Men’s Hockey
The intersection of Robson and Granville in downtown Vancouver was party central when the crowds started spilling out of local bars and restaurants after Canada wins Gold against Team USA for Men’s Hockey. No use fighting against the crowd, you literally could not move, and could only let the sea of red push you….somewhere. People were hanging off bus stops, street signs and fire hydrants to get a better view.
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Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Samsung Pavilion at LiveCity Yaletown
If you are fortunate enough to make it through the LiveCity Yaletown‘s lineups, check out Samsung’s OR@S Pavilion, where Olympic fans can become a snowboard designer for a day. Visitors are invited to create their own unique snowboard design using the graphic assets of Samsung’s CORBY phone. Visitors can have fun and design their own exclusive look of the 2010 Winter Games and then email their snowboard creation which becomes a souvenir of their experience at the Games. Visitors are also entered daily into a contest to win a free snowboard, Samsung is giving away a snowboard for each day of the Games.
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The OR@S is free to the general public and will be open daily 11am to 11pm from February 12 to 28, 2010.
Vancouver 2010 Olympics – HBC Olympic Superstore
The Olympic Superstore at The Bay has been an Olympic retail hotspot! According to CTV News, lineups to get into the store on the corner of Seymour and West Georgia have averaged 20 minutes. Once inside the store, I found the shopping experience was surprisingly civil. The 2010 Olympic Mascots section was surprisingly uncrowded. Could be because I went on a Thursday night and those who stay up past 10pm on a weekday are less likely to be rummaging the children’s section for cutesy mascot souveniers!! Nonetheless, here I am! As my friend pointed out, the Quachi hat I am wearing comes with built-in earmuffs!
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Currently open until midnight, the Olympic Superstore is scheduled to stay open for 24 hours next Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Olympic Cauldron
The 2010 Olympic Flame traveled by land, air and water during its 106-day journey across Canada and rests now in its final destination at the Vancouver Convention Center at Canada Place. It’s super crowded in the daytime, so I would recommend going in the middle of the night on a weekday – like I did! The quiet of downtown at this time allows you to hear the crackling of the Olympic Flame….like a gigantic patriotic campfire.
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Missed the torch relay? You still have another chance – the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will begin in Ottawa on March 3, 2010 and conclude at the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver signalling the start of the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, 2010.
BENEFIT – Velvet Eyeshadow
With names like Bo Peep (baby pink), and Nice Melons (a “papaya pearl”), these soft pastel shades remind me of Easter eggs and baby bunnies – a sign that spring is truly just around the corner.
George Ultra Lounge – Mixlympics (Feb. 21, 2010)
George Ultra Lounge is the Godfather of Vancouver’s cocktail culture. Modeled in the London style, George pioneered the cocktail kitchen concept in Canada when it opened in 2005. Today, with award-winning Shaun Layton behind the bar, George continues to pour proper classic and market-fresh cocktails, complimented by a dinner and late night menu through 2 a.m
George Ultra Lounge (1137 Hamilton Street) is taking a page from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and holding their own “Mixlympics”, a competition featuring ten bartenders (6 international, 4 local) competing head-to-head in a black box style event. Sponsored by Martin Miller’s Gin & Arc’teryx, these masters of mixology will be vying for the top prize – $500 cash provided by Martin Miller’s Gin, but there will be medals too. Gold, silver and bronze, just like the athletes competing in Vancouver and Whistler. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 12:00 pm but it might be best to get in line a little bit earlier.
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The international contestants are:
- Joe Stokoe – Bar Manager for all three All Star Lanes, London, UK
- Abdul Kpekawa – Bartender, All Star Lanes, London, UK
- David Grieg – Bartender, All Star Lanes, London, UK
- Ola Carlson – Bartender, Box 101, Stockholm, Sweden
- Nicolos de Soto, Bartender, Experimental Cocktail Club & Curio Parlour, Paris, France
- Charles Tan – Bartender, China Club, Paris, France.
Representing Canada will be:
- Mark Brand – Owner, Boneta and The Diamond, Vancouver
- David Wolwidnyk – Bar Manager, West, Vancouver
- Jay Jones – Owner, The Pourhouse, Vancouver
- Darryl Macdonald – Bartender, Port, Toronto