The New York Times profiles Sam Sullivan

I just tweeted: Reading the Sunday New York Times in New York on a Sunday is a good thing.

Yes, I'm in New York City, wrapping up a five-night stay. As always, I love being in the Big Apple, although the temperatures felt more like Winnipeg, Manitoba than New York, New York!

Temps dipped down into the low teens the other day, and with the wind chill factor, it was well below zero.

I recall being warmer sleeping in Quebec's Ice Hotel.

But back to The New York Times. I was about to pass up the SportsSunday section, but with the Winter Olympics coming, I have much more of an interest these days.

And there on the front page was a feature story about the former mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan:

Vancouver's Former Mayor Remains Face of the Games

So what will Sullivan's role be in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games?

According to the article, "His legacy remains intertwined with Vancouver's Olympics legacy, even if his role is that of spectator (Sullivan will participate in the torch relay)."

Vancouver City: YouTube video a hit

Here's a time lapse video that's been circulating on Facebook and Twitter.

Titled Vancouver City, it's an InnerLife Project by Dan and David Newcomb.

The haunting vocals are by Linda Ganzini.

The Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver is the city's tallest building
Photo by Sue Frause

Air Canada expands its service to the U.S.

Air Canada has announced new services for seven more American cities, boosting its Toronto hub and its position as the leading transborder carrier with the most daily flights between Canada and the U.S.

This spring, Air Canada will offer new daily service between Toronto and seven additional American cities: Orange County (Santa Ana) and San Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; Memphis, Tennessee; Cincinnati, Ohio; Portland, Maine; and Syracuse, New York. Flights will be non-stop and timed for connections with Air Canada's domestic and international network.

Air Canada is also adding four new international destinations from Toronto this summer that include Athens, Barcelona, and Copenhagen, and offer same-plane, direct service to Brussels through Montreal.

Air Canada in Montreal
Photo by Sue Frause

Ski & Stay Packages at Vancouver Island's Mount Washington and Old House Village Resort & Spa

Book a Ski & Stay Package at Mount Washington before Feb. 10, 2010 and you could win tickets to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort, which has received more than 150 centimetres of new snow between Jan. 22-27, is experiencing near perfect conditions this season. The snowfall made it the deepest snowpack in Canada and the fourth deepest worldwide.

The packages include accommodations at Old House Village Resort & Spa in Courtenay. It's one of the Comox Valley's premier places to stay; I took the train from Victoria to Courtenay several years ago and stayed at Old House -- it was great!

They're offering three packages for stays of one, three and five nights. Priced reasonably at $109, $99 and $89 per person, the pacakages include accommodations for two along with lift tickets at Mount Washington.

A suite at Old House Village Resort & Spa
Photo by Sue Frause

Washington state has year 'round Olympics

It's understandable that VANOC has a responsibility to protect the Olympic brand, but I thought it was a bit silly when they went after little Olympic Pizza a while back.

One thing they won't be able to touch are Washington state's Olympic Mountains -- more commonly referred to as simply the Olympics.

They've been around a long time and aren't going anywhere, anytime soon. Only problem is, the popular Hurricane Ridge Road is closed due to a large slide.

The Olympics from The Oswego Hotel in Victoria
Photo by Sue Frause

Haiti Recovery: 20 nations meet in Montreal

Here's a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation about the Jan. 25, 2010 meeting in Montreal:

"Officials from 20 countries are meeting in Montreal, Canada, Monday 'to discuss long-term reconstruction and arrangements for a donor conference to be held in March, the U.N. said, Bloomberg reports (Gaouette/Craze, 1/25). "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and others will examine eventual debt forgiveness and" a strategy for rebuilding Haiti at the one-day gathering, according to Reuters (Palmer, 1/25)."

Click on the Kaiser link above to read the rest of the story.

It's only appropriate that they are meeting in Montreal. According to Statistics Canada: "The large majority of Canadians of Haitian origin live in Montreal. In 2001, 83% of Canada’s Haitian community made Montreal their home. That year, there were almost 70,000 Canadians of Haitian descent living in Montreal, where they made up 2% of the metropolitan area’s overall population."

Montreal skyline
Photo by Sue Frause

(VIDEO) Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Men's Alpine Downhill Course-Dave Murray Downhill

The Seattle Times salutes Canadians they love

For the next three weeks prior to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the media will be dishing out every possible angle on the Olympics.

In Sunday's Seattle Times, writers compiled The Short List: What our writers love this week, devoted "to people and things we love from north of the border."

Included in the list are authors, movie makers, musicians, TV personalities, fine and performing artists and architects.

I was sorry not to see Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen among the musicians and Michael J. Fox excluded from the TV personalities.

Never fear, that's why it's called The Short List, and you can add your favorites in the comments section at the end of the list.



Tasting Dan Aykroyd's wine at Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Photo by Sue Frause

US Postal Service issues 2010 Winter Games stamp

The US Postal Service continues its tradition of "honoring the spirit of athleticism and internation unity inspired by the Olympic Games" with the issue of a first-class stamp.

The stamp features an illustration of a snowboarder and will be issued Jan. 22, 2010 to coincide with the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Feb. 12-28, 2010.

Illustrated by Steve McCracken, the stamp captures the thrill of one of the Olympic sports with the portrayal of an airborne snowboarder against the backdrop of a snow-capped mountain.

Only problem is, the venue for the snowboarding competition is Cypress Mountain, which is severely lacking snow. So much so that the mountain was closed to Alpine skiing earlier than planned, according to NBCOlympics.com

As stated on Cypress Mountain's website, "We plan to re-open as scheduled on March 9th with as much terrain as possible for the Spring session and we hope to then be basking in the sun and the glow of home team Gold Medals."

The Nordic Area at Cypress is open for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing.

CBC, CTV and Global to air Canada for Haiti

The USA isn't the only country having a telethon tonight. Canada for Haiti, scheduled to be broadcast on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 PM, will precede the Hope for Haiti in the US at 8 PM.

The Canadian musical line-up includes Metric, Nelly Furtado, K'naan, Barenaked Ladies, Tragically Hip and many more.

Hollywood stars hailing from north of the 49th parallel supporting Canada for Haiti include Michael J. Fox, Norman Jewison, Jason Reitman, Sandra Oh, Eugene Levy, Alex Trebek, Rick Mercer and Mike Holmes.

This from Statistics Canada:

Canadians of Haitian origin make up one of the largest non-European ethnic groups in Canada. In 2001, there were just over 82,000 people of Haitian origin living in Canada making them the 10th largest non-European community in the country, after Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, Jamaican, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Korean, Iranian and Japanese.

As far as Canadians in Haiti, the Toronto Star has a blog, Missing Canadians in Haiti.

Canada's Barenaked Ladies perform on Ships 'n Dips V Caribbean cruise in 2009. Photo by Sue Frause.

In the Kitchen: Four Chefs One Garden

Four of Vancouver's finest chefs are featured in Vancouver author Evaleen Jaager Roy's cookbook, Four Chefs One Garden. This is Jaager Roy's writing debut; prior to that she was with with Electronic Arts.

As she states on her website, she turned in her Blackberry for real blackberries:

"One year ago, I walked away from the boardroom, overnight flights and Blackberries and walked into my garden. And bit by bit, as spring turned to summer and summer to fall, the world began to slow down. I was left with a few simple joys: the joy of digging in the dirt and watching things grow and the joy of cooking – taking the best of each season and turning it into sustenance and celebration with people I love."

In her lushly photographed book, Jaager Roy reviews a year in her garden, which includes gardening tips from gardeners such as Brian Minter along with recipes from four of Vancouver's finest chefs: Michel Jacob (French), Umberto Menghi (Italian), Hidekazu Tojo (sushi) and Vikram Vij (Indian fusion).

The book is available at Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks in Vancouver.

Farmer Bob's Garden on Whidbey Island
Photo by Sue Frause

RIP: Kate McGarrigle and Vancouver's Duthie Books

So sad to read about the passing of Quebec singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle She performs here in a 2009 video with her son Rufus Wainwright, Jr. and Spectacle TV host Elvis Costello.

And a Canadian passing of another kind is the closing of Duthie Books' last bookstore. After 53 years of being Vancouver's primo independent bookstore, customers were greeted at the their Fourth Avenue store in Kitsilano with the sad news. Here in part is an explanation that they posted on their website:

Everybody knows that Independent bookstores have been under pressure from the 'big box' operations for many years now and it is clear that it is not going to get any better; the likes of Chapters, and Amazon are ruthless in their drive for market share and we cannot compete on price anymore. The book itself is in the throes of a technological transformation and book readers undergoing a major demographic shift.

Le Scandinave Spa Whistler opens Jan. 30, 2010

Le Scandinave Spa Whistler opens Jan. 30, 2010.

I visited Le Scandinave in Mount Tremblant, Quebec a number of years ago and felt right at home. After all, I'm a Daughter of Norway!

Scandinavian baths are known for their energizing and relaxing properties. The unique spa experience includes a eucalyptus steam bath, wood-burning Finnish dry sauna, outdoor hot baths, thermal and Nordic waterfalls, cold baths and cold showers, solariums, relaxation areas and an outdoor fireplace.

The spa has a number of packages:

Authentic Package ~ Access to Scandinavian baths, healthy lunch, stainless steel bottle and body care products. $96 CAD.

Soft Adventure Package ~ Access to Scandinavian baths, Swedish massage, healthy lunch, stainless steel bottle, sandals and body care products. $170 CAD.

Vitality Duo Package ~ Access for two to Scandinavian baths, along with Swedish massages, healthy lunches, sandals, stanless steel bottles and body care products for two. $355 CAD.

Le Scandinave Spa Whistler has an opening weekend special (Jan. 30-31, 2010) that includes two nights' accommodation and a one-day spa entrance. Rates start at $197 per person. Check online or call 800.944.7853.

Do you recognize these BC celebrities?

British Columbia has a new ad campaign, and unless you've been living in a cave for the past few decades, you'll probably recognize many of the BC born celebrities featured in the promotional spot.

Singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan is one of the eight promoting the 2010 Winter Games.

If you haven't seen the 30-second spot, titled You Gotta Be Here in 2010 - Super Natural British Columbia, you can watch it on British Columbia's official YouTube channel.

Sarah McLachlan in concert 2009
Photo by Sue Frause

Canadian skater on the ice for United States

I just returned from the two opening days of the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Washington. What a show! Scheduled to run for ten days through Jan. 24, 2010, the sporting event determines who will be on the 2010 US Olympic Figure Skating Team to go to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

I had tickets for the Senior Men Short Program following the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, Jan. 14. In the end, it was Jeremy Abbott, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir placing 1-2-3.

I only caught the first half of the Senior Pairs competition the following day, which to my surprise included a Canadian skater. Now with the Detroit Skating Club, Aaron VanCleave hails from Comox on Vancouver Island. He and his partner Ameena Sheikh skated to selections from the film Somewhere in Time.

Although the music was lush, their program fell way short. In the end, they came in 14th out of 16, with Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett skating to victory.

Aaron VanCleave and Ameena Sheikh during the Senior Pairs Free Skate program on Jan. 16, 2010 at the US National Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Washington. Sue Frause photo.

'The Beaver,' Canada's 2nd oldest magazine, relaunches as 'Canada's History" due to controversy

Here's what The Beaver's Facebook page has to say about itself:

The Beaver is Canada's History Magazine and its been published in Winnipeg since 1920. It's actually the second oldest magazine in the country- second only to Macleans. Six times a year we publish all kinds of stories about Canada's past, the people, the events, and the environment that has helped shaped this country.

Now comes word from Reuters that the magazine "is changing its name because its unintended sexual connotation has caused the history journal to become snagged in Internet filters and has turned off potential readers."

The Manitoba publication is relaunching as Canada's History.

Here's an interview in the National Post between reporter Deborah Morrison and publisher and editor of The Beaver/Canada's History Mark Reid.

Somewhere near Winnipeg, Manitoba on VIA Rail Canada
Photo by Sue Frause

Feb. 12, 2010: Winter Olympics just a month away

I recall watching the selection of Vancouver, BC on the CBC as the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics Games.

That was on July 2, 2003, nearly seven years ago. Now with the XXI Olympic Winter Games only one month away, everybody's gonna be watching Vancouver to see how they do. Fingers crossed that all goes well with no major glitches, right through to the Closing Ceremony on Feb. 28, 2010.

It will be interesting to see what impact the Winter Games have on our region, financially and otherwise.

My feeling is that the overflow from the Olympic may not be felt immediately, but people will return to the Pacific Northwest after having such a great time. More than that are the three billion people expected to watch it on TV. Some of those will undoubtedly head our way in the coming years.


All of the Nordic events (Nordic, Biathlon, Nordic combined and ski jumping) are at Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley, just a few kilometres from the Callaghan Lodge. Photo by Sue Frause.

Canada celebrates Chinese New Year with Year of the Tiger stamps (along with a rate increase, too)

First the good news: On Jan. 8, 2010 Canada Post issued a set of Year of the Tiger stamps to welcome in the Lunar New Year. The two stamps are the second issue in the 12-year Lunar New Year series, and tell the story of the tiger through traditional Chinese icons and imagery.

The international rate stamp, which is available only on the souvenir sheet, depicts a Chinese seal. The domestic rate stamp features the imprint of this seal, which portrays a tiger in a traditionally stylized manner.

A reception was held in Vancouver, BC to celebrate the issue of the stamps.

Less popular is the announcement that new postal rates go into effect today, Jan. 11, 2010. As part of Canada Post's five-year pricing plan, the new rate to to mail a domestic for the next five years increased by three cents to 57 cents, and will rise by an additional two cents annually from 2011 to 2014.

Other rate adjustments include a two-cent increase to $1 for letters, cards and postcards mailed to the USA; and a five-cent increase to $1.70 for letters, cards and postcards to other foreign destinations.

Vancouver Island: 'The 31 Places to Go in 2010'

No doubt that Vancouver, BC is going to be big for the next few years, due to the 2010 Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver and Whistler from Feb. 12-28.

Vancouver already made USA Today's top 10 travel trends for 2010, and now Vancouver Island has scored in the The New York Times' The 31 Places to Go in 2010.

Just for fun, see how many places you've been. I've visited eight out of the 31, or 22%: Copenhagen, Antarctica, Leipzig, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, South Africa, Vancouver Island and Norway. Time to keep travelin'!

Flying over Vancouver Island near Ucluelet aboard Kenmore Air
Photo by Sue Frause

I want my CTV! US stuck with NBC for Olympics

I knew some time ago that CTV won the bid to broadcast the Olympics in Canada. But I've been in denial for the past few months as I flip through my TV stations via Comcast. I keep thinking CTV will appear, but it hasn't.

The front page story in The Seattle Times sealed the deal for me that I'm stuck with NBC and its uber-biased rah-rah American coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. That means way too many evenings spent with Bob Costas during his fireside chats.

In the meantime, I'm checking CTV Vancouver 2010 website for up to the nano-second coverage of the Winter Games.

And if you're still dreaming of attending the games in person, there are rooms available in Vancouver, Whistler and the surrounding area.

I'm looking forward to attending the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, WA next week. The event will determine the US Figure Skating Team for the Winter Olympics.

Note: An alert reader sent me an email noting that Comcast purchased NBC Universal. Coincidence that there is no CTV available on Comcast?

36 days 'til the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

I'm sure there were many moments of "Uh, oh!" as the Olympic countdown clock conked out in Vancouver, BC on a recent evening.

Not to worry. The outage was caused by a major electrical upgrade in downtown Vancouver, but the clock got back on track when power was restored. If that's the only glitch between now and the 36 days until the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on Feb. 12, organizers will be breathing huge sighs of relief.

There is no shortage of news stories about the upcoming Winter Games. USA Today is making noise on Twitter with its recent article that's being re-tweeted: Winter Olympics will highlight new US border requirements. Yes, bring your passport, even if you're driving.

The other news is there is room at the inn. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has accommodations during the Winter Games that run through Feb. 28, 2010. And downtown Vancouver hotels also have space, as reported on the CTV Olympics website.

As with any Olympics, there's no lack of chatter and controversy. Tongues are wagging about the Alberta Train, chartered by Alberta for shuttling invited folks between Vancouver and Whistler aboard one of Rocky Moutaineer's luxury trains.

The Rocky Mountaineer was in the spotlight in 2009 when The Bachelorette's Jillian Harris rode the rails between Vancouver, BC and Banff, Alberta.

Although I won't be attending the Olympics, I've been invited to a media event hosted by Tourism Switzerland at the House of Switzerland in Vancouver. It's being incorporated into Bridges restaurant on Granville Island during the Winter Games; there will also be a House of Switzerland at Whistler. It's one of the few national guest centers at the Olympic Games open to the public.

I expect to eat fondue, chocolate and catch some of the Olympic action on a big-screen TV. Maybe do a little yodeling, too.

Related article: Hotels race to finish before Olympics (Vancouver Sun)

The Official Countdown Clock sits atop massive blocks of cast concrete in the heart of downtown Vancouver at the Georgia Street Plaza near the Vancouver Art Gallery. Two electronic displays count down the hours, minutes and seconds remaining until the Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Photo taken on June 16, 2008 by Sue Frause.

CBC's Top Ten Canadian Bands for 2010

I try to stay on top of the Canadian music scene, but it keeps getting tougher. As the CBC reports, the past decade brought us Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire and Feist (I've heard of the latter two). The new year and decade is bringing a whole lot of new and unfamiliar names to these ears.

The CBC's Sarah Liss has put together 10 Canadian bands destined to break in 2010. They range from the Montreal-based Braids to the duo of Bonjay from Toronto.

In the meantime, I'll continue to listen to my all-time Canadian favorites: Joni Mitchell, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, Anne Murray, Michael Buble, Sarah McLachlan and Oscar Peterson.

Feist in concert at British Columbia's 150th anniversary celebration in Victoria on Aug. 4, 2008 in Victoria. Photo by Sue Frause.

Saskatchewan: Canada goes for gold in World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon

With four million people reportedly watching CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, you can bet that the majority of them will be tuned into tonight's match between Canada and the US.

Both teams will be going for the gold in the World Junior Hockey Championship held at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Jan. 5, 2010.

The province made four previous attempts to host the championships, and in the summer of 2008 the bid was awarded to Saskatoon and Regina.

All of Team Canada's games and all playoff games from the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship will be streamed live on TSN.ca. Video on Demand coverage will also be provided on TSN.ca for all games being broadcast live on TSN and TSN2. All VODs will be made available on TSN.ca shortly after they conclude on television.

Skating near Brockton, Massachusetts
Photo courtesy Library of Congress

Flying from Canada to US? No carry-ons allowed

Here's the official word from the CATSA, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority:

"Effective immediately, CATSA is implementing temporary emergency measures at security checkpoints under the direction of Transport Canada. These measures are in response to a failed terrorist attack on board an aircraft from Amsterdam to Detroit on December 25, 2009. These new measures will affect all flights from Canada to the United States.

U.S.A. bound passengers are permitted zero carry-on bags effective immediately and lasting for several days. Passengers travelling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags (although to make the screening process most efficient, fewer carry-on items is preferred).

These rules will be strictly enforced during this period. There will be no flexibility.

Carry-on bag means items to which a passenger has access to during a flight, but does NOT include personal items such as medication or medical devices, small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, a special needs item, musical instruments, or diplomatic or consular bags."

The luggage folks are on top of this; just today I received a press release from luggage and business case maker Briggs and Riley. It included a list of five laptop cases that are "specifically designed to accommodate a laptop plus a change of clothing and are available throughout Canada."

They include the Fuse 20" Carry-n Computer Upright, 15.4" Executive Expandable Brief, 17" Executive Expandable Brief, 17" Executive Expandable Rolling Brief and the 15.4" Executive Expandable Rolling Brief. Prices range from $249-$389.

Carry-ons at Hong Kong International Airport in 2007
Photo by Sue Frause

Sidney to Anacortes ferry takes its winter break

Ferry service between Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island and Anacortes, WA went on its annual winter break today.

With the winter schedule of the Washington State Ferries going into effect on Jan. 3, 2010 that date also marks the cessation of winter service between the Canada and the US.

WSF's only international sailing will resume its service on March 28, 2010.

In the meantime, travelers from Vancouver Island may take Black Ball's M/V Coho between Victoria and Port Angeles, WA. There's also float plane service to Seattle's Lake Union via Kenmore Air and Clipper Vacations between Victoria and downtown Seattle.

Washington State Ferries arrives in Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island from Anacortes, WA. Mount Baker is in the background. Photo by Sue Frause.

Happy New Year: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

My husband reminded me that we celebrated the milennium in Vancouver. Hard to believe that was a decade ago.

We've spent several New Year's Eves in Vancouver over the years, which included a leisurely lunch at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's 900 West Lounge; cocktails at Gotham Steak House; and dinners at C Restaurant and a now defunct resto off Robson near The Westin Grand where we stayed one New Year's Eve.

Love their Heavenly Beds (which you can now purchase at Nordstrom!).

But the big new year news for Vancouver is the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Feb. 12-28. If you're not going to see them up close and personal, do like me and watch them on TV. Depending on your taste/locale, it's either NBC in the US or CTV in Canada.

My couch is sooooo ready!

NOTE: 01/02/2010 is a palandromic date. Read more about places around the world that are palindromes, including one in Quebec.

Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC
Photo by Sue Frause