I saw him just in time. A friend from Calgary emailed me the news that Steven Page will no longer be a part of the Barenaked Ladies. Here's the official word from the band's website:
By mutual agreement, Steven Page will be parting company with the remaining members of Barenaked Ladies. Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart will continue recording and touring together as Barenaked Ladies. Steven Page will pursue solo projects including theatrical opportunities while the band enters the studio in April 2009, and hits the road in the fall.
Page says "These guys are my brothers. We've grown up together over the past twenty years. I love them and wish them all the best in the future."
The band also wish Steven well in all of his endeavors. Ed Robertson says: "It's the start of a new chapter for all of us. Here's to the future!"
Everyone is looking forward to making new music and thanks their fans for their support.
No word as to how it will impact the group's popular Ships & Dip cruise that I was on earlier this year.
Steven Page on Ships & Dips V
Photo by Sue Frause
The annual BC Tourism Industry Awards were held on Feb. 12, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Presented by Tourism British Columbia and the Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia, nine awards were handed out during the evening event to individuals and organizations in the tourism industry.
Foresight Sustainability Award: Delta Sun Peaks Resort and Residence. They have established a number of sound environmental practices and partnerships with socially conscious organizations to reduce impacts on the natural beauty of its unique location. They have worked to actively lower their carbon emissions, conserve water and electricity, reduce waster and provide green services for its guests.
Best Tourism Marketing Campaign Award: Tourism Victoria for its Set Sail on Us campaign that featured complimentary vehicle and passenger fare aboard BC Ferries to and from Vancouver when booking two consecutive nights in Victoria. Packages sold out in three days and the destination saw a 362% increase in sales through Tourism Victoria.
Technology in Tourism Award: For the launch of a new map marker technology on their organization's website at www.anglersatlas.com, which enables members to plot locations of boat launches, favorite resort and fishing spots and hazards. The site also allows downloading the data onto Google Earth.
Employees First Award: Grouse Mountain Resort, with a staff of more than 700 in a variety of seasonal and year-round positions. Guided by the Peak principle, working at Grouse Mountain is more than just a 9-5 job as employees are encouraged to reach their personal best.
Tourism Media Award: National PBS and the syndicated commercial TV series, Organic Living with the Hippy Gourmet was recognized for filming multiples episodes on Vancouver Island. The show reaches more than 34 million homes every week. episodes featured local businesses in Saanich, the Salt Spring Market, Cowichan Valley, Tofino and Cortes Island.
Environmentally Responsible Tourism Award: Yasodhara Ashram Yoga Retreat & Study Centre, which has engaged in programs to reduce energy consumption since 1994. They have adapted innovative, energy efficient technologies that were expanded into a long-term sustainability initiative to be carbon neutral by 2013, their 50th anniversary.
Sport Tourism Community Legacy Award: Tourism Abbotsford for its Sport Town Canada marketing strategy. The strategy aims to provide leadership, forget local partnerships and offer direct support to local sports groups and event right holders.
SuperHost Customer Service Award: Darrel Dueck of Elysia Resort on Quesnel for his many random acts of kindness and exceptional customer service. He installed a guest's missing but vital bilge pump on his boat as part of a surprise birthday present for the long-time resort guest.
William Van Horne Visionary Award: Terry Hood, General Manger of Link BC and Dr. Brian White, Director at Royal Roads University of the School of Tourism & Hotel Management. For their leadership in educational programming and innovative teaching in making the BC tourism industry one of the "best of the best."
Sign at the Blaine, WA border truck crossing
Photo by Sue Frause
I've been glued to the CBC this morning, watching Peter Mansbridge and his crew cover President Obama's first international visit since taking office.
There's not a lot to see, although Mansbridge just read the lunch menu, which sounded better than what I'll be having today!
In the meantime, Yes we CANada (or as they say in Quebec, Yes OUI CANada!). And I'm happy to read that eight out of ten Canadians approve of our new Prez.
Autumn in Ottawa
Photo by Sue Frause
You won't need a map for Quebec City's Plains of Abraham re-enactment this year. The CTV reports:
"Following a firestorm of protest, a planned re-enactment of the 1759 defeat of French forces on Quebec City's Plains of Abraham has been cancelled. The National Battlefields Commission, the federal agency that helps to preserve the Plains, made the announcement Tuesday while explaining revisions to the programming surrounding the 250th anniversary."
I thought Americans were the only ones who were overly PC about stuff.
Seamus and Jimmy, two Newfoundlanders, got a pilot to fly them in to Labrador to hunt moose. They had great luck, and managed to bag six. As they were loading up the plane to return, the pilot said the plane could take only four moose. The two lads objected strongly.
"Last year we shot six," said Seamus. "The pilot let us take them all, and he had the same plane as yours."
Reluctantly, the pilot gave in and all six moose were loaded. However, even on full power, the little plane couldn't handle the load and went down. Somehow, surrounded by the moose bodies, Seamus and Jimmy survived the crash.
After climbing out of the wreckage, Seamus asked Jimmy, "Any idea where we are?"
Jimmy replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year."
Mac the Moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Photo by Sue Frause
I attended the keynote address this morning by business analyst Michael Campbell at the BC Tourism Industry conference in Vancouver. Campbell, a respected BC business analyst and host of MoneyTalks, is heard across Canada on the Corus radio network.
His hour-long talk, Canada in Today's Economic Storm, was informative, enlightening and entertaining. A rare combination in the oft boring and bleak world of economics. Listen to this guy!
Michael Campbell
Sue Frause photo
CBC Radio 2 recently invited Canadians to help select the top 49 Songs From North of the 49th Parallel that would best define Canada to U.S. President Barack Obama.
Nominations were submitted and votes were cast. Here is the final list.
President Obama is scheduled to make his first foreign trip next week to Ottawa on Feb. 19, 2009. Read a post I wrote about it in Crosscut.
Pictured above: Sean McCann of Great Big Sea during the Ships & Dips V Caribbean cruise with Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan and others. Sue Frause photo.
This is the Caribbean version of Canadian hockey aboard the Northern Cruise Lines' Jewel. To read more about this "Canadian" cruise in the Caribbean, go to my Seattle Travel Examiner site.
You'll find out more about this Canadian themed cruise, including pictures of Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea and more.
Hockey aboard NCL's Jewel
Photo by Sue Frause
I never thought I'd be cruising with the Barenaked Ladies, but let it be! I'm off on a five-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel, the newest of Norwegian Cruise Lines' fleet of ships.
They're presenting Ships & Dip V, a musical cruise in the Caribbean. The Canadian group will be joined by Sarah McLachlan, the Great Big Sea and plenty of other Candian groups and entertainers. So far, the weather is perfect and I expect a lot of Canadians on board.
I'm sure I'll see plenty of maple leafs!
