It’s been one week and two days since Hollywood was overrun by glitz, glamour and gowns…also known as the Oscars. The red carpets may be rolled up, but I’m still beaming from correctly predicting the winners in each of the major categories. Best actor: Daniel-Day Lewis - I guessed it! Best movie: ‘No Country for Old Men’ - I got that, too! I even predicted that ‘Les Mozart des Pickpockets’ would win for Best Live Action Short Film – phew!
Following my intuitive-success at last Sunday’s Oscars, I’ve taken to predicting the outcome of everything from J-Lo’s baby names to the score in today’s Vancouver Canucks game. In fact, I’ll even make a prediction for you: I foresee a trip in your future to write about spectacular natural beauty, four-seasons of outdoor adventures, unique accommodations and activities that will get the whole family excited. Sounds like the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region to me! My next prediction? That it’s time to stop blabbing and leave you to enjoy the April issue of Story Starters.
Lights, camera, action! Vancouver – the third largest film production centre in North America – has earned the title of Hollywood North. But Vancouver isn’t the only location in beautiful BC that attracts Hollywood bigwigs and production crews. Did you know that spectacular Sea to Sky Country appears in the background of a number of your favourite movies and TV shows? Spring is the perfect time to pack the family in the car and visit the area’s most popular film locations. Start your star-gazing at the BC Museum of Mining in Britannia Beach. Over 50 feature films and dozens of popular TV shows have been filmed here, including: Scooby Two, Insomnia, and The X Files. Further along the Sea to Sky Highway is Squamish, the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. You may recognize Squamish from Walking Tall (staring The Rock and Johnny Knoxville!) and Men in Trees. Twenty-minutes north of Whistler is Pemberton, known for world-class outdoor adventures such as snowmobiling, golfing, hiking and rafting. Pemberton will appear on the big-screen later this year in the upcoming X-Files sequel. For more information on Sea to Sky Country visit www.vcmbc.com.
The roaring 1920s are remembered for flapper dancers, jazz music and prohibition. But in Burnaby Village, the 1920s were a much simpler time: pictures of King George V and Queen Mary covered the walls in the school house, the Union Jack flew overhead, and children enjoyed homemade ice cream while riding the new carousel. Experience life as it was in the 1920s at Burnaby Village Museum. A traditional BC Electric Railway tram stop village has been created with a combination of heritage and replica buildings on a 10 acre site. Period costumed staff and volunteers welcome visitors and give demonstrations in the homes, businesses and shops. An exciting must for every visitor is a whirl on the fully restored historic 1912 CW Parker Carousel. And yes, the tasty ice cream parlour is still open! Visit the Museum on May 19, 2008 to celebrate Victoria Day in grand style. For more details go to www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
A vacation with the family (while intended to give everyone some much-needed relaxation) can be a stressful event in itself. From packing to planning activities to choosing the right restaurant, it’s enough to warrant a vacation from your vacation! Imagine having your own personal helper to assist you in stress-proofing your family travels. Lucky for you, the Bizzy Butler offers 'on-call' butler services for guests staying in vacation homes anywhere in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Your Bizzy Butler will stock your pantry with groceries, prepare and serve food for parties, plan itineraries for you and your family, and provide escorted 'power shopping' trips anywhere in the Lower Mainland. All that’s left for you is to relax and enjoy your vacation! Visit www.bizzybutler.com for more details.
If for you the perfect end to a long day is cuddling up in a rustic cabin sipping hot chocolate and telling stories, then the Echoes Harrison River Retreat is for you. This beautiful, boat-access-only retreat is located alongside the Harrison River and is steeped in history. Captain Dick Warde – known as the "Harrison Hermit" – pioneered The Echoes on the Harrison River back in 1892. Captain Warde spent two decades providing tours of Harrison Lake and River to visitors, and sold homemade butter, milk and vegetables to the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa (known then as the St. Alice Hotel). To this day, the Echoes Harrison River Retreat reveals signs of its early settler, and Captain Warde is fondly remembered for his imaginative story telling abilities. Visitors to the Echoes Harrison River Retreat today stay in three red cedar cabins with romantic king-size beds, down duvets, and fresh linens. In the morning, enjoy home baked goodies and fresh organic coffee roasted on the Echoes back porch. The Echoes Harrison River Retreat is the perfect location for a romantic retreat that will leave you with plenty of stories to tell. Visit www.harrisonriverretreat.com.
Does your passion for art inspire your travel destinations? You don’t have to travel to Florence or Paris to see true works of art. Artists and artisans have long drawn inspiration from the magnificent landscapes and natural beauty of BC’s Sunshine Coast. Motoko's Original Art Gallery in Pender Harbour is an incredible expression of culture, people, and memories in art. On a visit to Pender Harbour – nicknamed the “Venice of the North” because of its beautiful, intricate waterways - stop in at Motoko’s gallery, known for her versatility and exquisite use of vibrant colour. She works in watercolours and acrylics and often uses a multi-media approach, resulting in a truly elegant and distinctive style. The beauty and diversity of nature and human emotions are Motoko's main subjects. Motoko's gallery is also part of the Purple Banner Route, which invites visitors in to view artists and artisans in their studios at work. Visit www.motokoart.com.
