Weekender Summer 2019 by Vancouver Courier

S U M M E R 2 0 19

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Kid friendly hikes page 14

Dine the Line page 10

Photo: Tourism penticton

Weekend road trip to Penticton page 6

contents Contents

06 Weekend in Penticton This Okanagan hot spot is an easy round trip from Vancouver sandra thomas

09 Penticton treats Your stomach — and Instagram account — will thank you for checking out these ice cream dreams

17 P NE concert lineup This year’s Summer Night concert series includes Blue Rodeo, UB40 and a tribute to the 1990s sandra thomas

sandra thomas

11 Summer farmers markets Get your produce on at one of these markets sandra thomas

elana shepert Photo: iStock

Galliano Island

14 Five kid-friendly hikes 15 recipe: Avocado ice cream

18 18 BOOM! at Britannia Mine Museum New attraction uses light, sound and animation to bring old copper mine back to life sandra thomas

sandra thomas

Photo: Laura Malley Harvey

Lindsay William-Ross

Take the kids to BOOM! at Britannia Mine.

10 Dine the Line Enjoy an epic SkyTrain food crawl across Metro Vancouver. New online maps features popular eateries close to transit

22 Gender neutral clothing Victoria-based designs a hit with celebrities sandra thomas

PUBLISHER

16 Long weekend getaways Nothing says weekend fun more than a road trip elana shepert

EDITOR Sandra

Email sales@vancourier.com to advertise in our next issue. summer 2019

Play Today!

Burnaby Mountain Golf Course & Driving Range 7600 Halifax Street Phone: 604-280-7355

Riverway Golf Course & Driving Range 9001 Bill Fox Way Phone: 604-280-4653

Central Park Pitch & Putt 3883 Imperial Street Phone: 604-434-2727

Kensington Park Pitch & Putt 5889 Curtis Street Phone: 604-291-9525

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an easy drive to golf Burnaby!

golfburnaby.ca

editor

letter from the

Plan your summer with Weekender Sandra Thomas | sthomas@vancourier.com

So many places to visit, so little time. In May I played tourist in my home province and visited BOOM!, a new attraction near Squamish at the Britannia Mine Museum, and spent the May long weekend in Penticton. I include the deets to both visits within these pages. But, in this edition of Weekender, I’ve also included some staycation ideas a little closer to home and will be taking advantage of the Dine the Line map, which offers a list of places to eat along the SkyTrain system, which means you can say yes to those patio cocktails without the concern of driving.

I’ve also included a list of kid-friendly hikes to help make exercise in the outdoors a family affair and, speaking of family, I’ve featured a Victoria-based, mom-and-pop shop that makes gender-neutral clothing for children and adults. And, for lovers of all things avocado, I’ve included a three-ingredient recipe for avocado ice cream that’s super easy to make. #DIY #icecream #summer So let Weekender be your guide to all things summer, whether that’s close to home or on the road.

road trip Weekend in Penticton

This Okanagan hot spot is an easy road trip from Vancouver Sandra Thomas | sthomas@vancourier.com

Planning a trip to the Okanagan? As I discovered during a recent long weekend road trip, Penticton is less than five hours away from Vancouver and has a lot to offer — whether you’re travelling for a girls’ weekend, golfing, wine tasting or fun with family.

Ride the Kettle Valley Railway.

Photo: Sandra Thomas

Here are just a few of the highlights from our Penticton weekend:

What to do? Penticton Farmers Market Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 100 block of Main Street and beyond This weekly event is so much more than a farmers market. We spent almost two hours wandering the market, stopping to listen to live music along the way and to pick up fresh radishes for roasting, ribeye steaks for the proverbial long weekend

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barbecue and hand-crafted mini fruit pies for dessert. It’s a must visit when in Penticton. Visit the SS Sicamous Heritage Park Visit sssicamous.ca for hours of operation and cost The stern wheeler SS Sicamous is a luxury vessel that was once used to transport Penticton passengers and cargo to remote communities is less than along the shores of five hours from Okanagan Lake. It Vancouver launched in 1914 and remained in service for 22 years. Today the ship has been painstakingly renovated and recreated and operates as a museum managed by a non-profit society made up of volunteers. Visitors can climb up to the main bridge where the vessel’s wheel is still in place, and you can enjoy a gorgeous view of Okanagan Lake. The main floor of the vessel is also home to an astounding scale model of the Kettle Valley Railway built by volunteers from the Kettle Valley Model Railway Club. Note: Ask if you can have a sheet to do the scavenger hunt, which includes finding various figures and objects along the miniature rail line. Kettle Valley Steam Railway kettlevalleyrail.org We sat in an open car as we made the 90-minute trip along the only preserved section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway, which was built between 1910 and 1915. Driven by the restored steam

Photo: Sandra Thomas

Carter Bryant Thomas enjoying his Crazy Shake.

LocoLanding Adventure Park locolanding.com So. Much. Fun. We spent four hours at LocoLanding and our nine-year-old grandson enjoyed everything from bumper boats (you’ll get soaked) to the highlevel ropes course to 18 holes of mini golf, which I also played. There were groups of all ages enjoying the park with older teens and young adults arriving later in the afternoon. LocoLanding also has a go kart track that

Where to eat

Photo: Sandra Thomas

looked super popular. But my grandson stuck with rock climbing, the Big Baller, Xtreme Ninja and the previously mentioned attractions. Tip: Buy the $38 value pack, which allows for seven activities at a considerable saving.

Prepare to get soaked on the bumper boats at LocoLanding Adventure Park.

locomotive No. 3716, we chugged through picturesque Prairie Valley dotted with orchards, vineyards and fields of green and then onto the Trout Creek Bridge with a stunning view of Okanagan Lake and the canyon below. You can also choose the Great Train Robbery option, which is two hours and includes a barbecue. You’ll also get held up by the notorious Garnett Valley Gang, so make sure to take lots of loose change, which all goes to charity.

Brodo Kitchen tastebrodo.com “Brodo” is the Italian word for broth, so we hoped there would be some excellent soup choices on the menu — and we weren’t disappointed. If you can’t decide, you can order a flight of three soups. Soup and sandwiches are the specialty of the house, and chef Paul Cecconi changes the menu seasonally to reflect what’s fresh. Friendly staff made this the ideal spot for lunch during a busy day of sightseeing. continued on page 8

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Carter Bryant Thomas tackles the climbing wall at LocoLanding Adventure Park. The wall has three sides, each with a varying degree of difficulty, so it’s great for beginners and more experienced climbers. Photo: Sandra Thomas

continued from page 7

TIME Winery timewinery.com During a tour of TIME Winery, based not on the luscious green slopes surrounding Penticton as one might imagine, but instead in the heart of downtown, hospitality manager Kelley Michael Schaefer pointed out structural details that pay homage to the former PenMar movie theatre, which closed in 2012. Not long after that, entrepreneur and pioneer wine maker Harry McWatters envisioned taking over the space and creating the 20,000-squarefoot TIME winery, of which he’s president and CEO. McWatters, often described as the godfather of the B.C. wine industry, founded this province’s first estate winery, Sumac Ridge, in 1980.

winery, TIME is part of the community. Of the four original theatres once located within PenMar, one is now a fermentation room, another is the barrel cellar and the third is for production and storage. It’s hoped the fourth will eventually be restored as a theatre, and the exterior will be used for public events. TIME Winery also includes the Kitchen, where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner following a wine tasting session.

Where to stay?

Tiki Shores Motel pentictontikishoresmotel.ca The Tiki Shores was so central we could walk almost everywhere we needed. We stayed in a deluxe twobedroom, which was large enough for a family or group — and it had its own private patio and barbecue. There’s also a barbecue area everyone can share. The motel is right across As a downtown the road from the During my beach, but also winery, TIME tour, Schaefer has its own pool, is part of the acknowledged we used McWatters unique community... which every day of our vision for the winery. stay. Our suite “We’re not an urban had a kitchen so we were able winery, but rather a downtown to eat breakfast at home before winery,” says Schaefer, who heading out each day, which explains that as a downtown was handy and affordable.

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yum Penticton treats

Your stomach — and Instagram account — will thank you for checking out these ice cream dreams

Sandra Thomas | sthomas@vancourier.com

Lickity Splitz lickitysplitz.com Located down the beach from the Peach is another Penticton fave. Lickity Splitz is one of those ice cream places that offers too many choices to pick from, but the good news is they offer samples. Tip: Try the Shark Attack ice cream, you won’t regret it.

Photo: the peach

The Peach Ice Cream Shop thepeachicecream.com Whatever you do in Penticton, you have to save room for a Crazy Shake or a Crazy Cone from the iconic Peach on the beach. The Crazy Shakes are topped with everything from strawberry shortcake to cotton candy to brownies to a birthday candle. This shake is guaranteed to blow up your Instagram account. The cones are also over the top and include the Unicone, Birthday Bash, Brownie Dunk, the Sweet Tooth and PB&C.

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foodies Dine the Line

Enjoy an epic SkyTrain food crawl across Metro Vancouver. New online maps features popular eateries close to transit Lindsay William-Ross | contributing writer

Feel like taking on a couple epic food crawls across Metro Vancouver? New maps, created in partnership with TransLink and WestCoastFood, can be your guide to using SkyTrain lines to get to dining and brewpub destinations.

photo: dan toulgoet

Called Dine the Line, the new offering features a guide each for the Expo Line, Millennium Line and Canada Line (plus the SeaBus). Aimed at locals and visitors alike, the guides easily link food fans to the best of the region and make getting there a breeze — just add a Compass card to the recipe.

Hop on the Millennium Line and explore breweries and eats in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam. Use the Expo Line to go on a global eating spree, starring everything from Italian at CinCin in Vancouver to Indian at Mahaveer Chef’s Choice in Surrey — with stops for Mexican at El Santo in New West and Korean at Hanwoori in guide to Burnaby — to name a few.

...your using SkyTrain lines to get to dining...

Lastly, the Canada Line and SeaBus will take you from dim sum to dinner, kicking off at the awardwinning Chef Tony in Richmond to the comfort eats classic Burgoo in North Vancouver. “We want people to get out there and experience Metro Vancouver’s unique dining and brewpub neighbourhoods and we want people to use transit to get there,” TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond said in a press release. “Transit connects our communities in so many ways and we want transit to be the way that residents and tourists discover culinary hubs throughout our great city.” “Embarking on a Dine the Line tour is like having a local guide who knows the best spots to eat in the city, and best of all, they’re accessible by transit,” added Ty Speer, CEO of Tourism Vancouver. Each map is viewable online or can be downloaded at westcoastfood.ca/ dinetheline.

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produce Summer farmers markets Get your produce on at one of these markets Sandra Thomas | sthomas@vancourier.com

It’s farmers market season, and whether you’re looking for fresh produce, artisanal bread, cheese, meat, honey, flowers or even beer, wine or spirits, you’ll find it in a neighbourhood near you. Here’s a list of Metro Vancouver markets, with most open through September and October. Vancouver Downtown Farmers Market Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza — Georgia and Hamilton streets Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m., June 6 to Oct. 3 Granville Island Farmers Market The Chain & Forge — Granville Island Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 6 to Sept. 26 Kitsilano Kitsilano Community Centre 2690 Larch St. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 5 to Oct. 20 Main Street 1100 Station St. Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m., June 5 to Oct. 2 Mount Pleasant East Eighth Avenue and Guelph Street Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 26 Oct. 27

Riley Park West 30th Avenue and Ontario Street Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (year-round) Trout Lake East 13th Avenue and Lakewood Drive Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 4 to Oct. 19 West End 1100 Comox St. at the edge of Nelson Park Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 25 to Oct. 19 Mercato Italian Market Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre 3075 Slocan St. June 14 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 4 to Oct. 26 Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, 1000 Argyle Ave. Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 5 to Oct. 27 Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market East plaza at Lonsdale Quay Market, North Vancouver Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 4 to Oct. 26 summer 2019

hiking

Five kid-friendly hikes Elana Shepert | contributing writer

Photo: istock

Lighthouse Park

Have a look at some of the best kidfriendly hikes to enjoy in B.C. this summer. Lighthouse Park Easily accessible from the city, Lighthouse Park offers an easy, scenic experience by the water. Not only does it have a beautiful lighthouse, it offers beautiful rocky shores to walk along, as well as deep, lush woods. And while this is a perfect hike for kids, it is also a great place to bring pooches. Note: dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Brandywine Falls Not only is Brandywine Falls a truly spectacular sight, it’s also extremely easy to get to from Vancouver. The best place to view the rolling rapids is adjacent to B.C. Highway 99 between Garibaldi and Whistler. From there, a half-hour hike leads visitors down a walking path where they can view the falls as well as the surrounding areas of Daisy Lake and Black Tusk. Again, visitors are welcome to bring their dogs, but they must be leashed. Othello Tunnels The Othello Tunnels are a popular tourist attraction for the town of Hope. The journey through the tunnels is a 3.5 km round-trip hike and takes approximately one hour to complete. It’s a relatively easy excursion with very minimal elevation gain. 14

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Minnekhada Regional Park The Minnekhada Regional Park is located in northeast Coquitlam and offers more than 200 hectares of outdoor wonder to explore. The park is home to myriad wildlife, which includes wood ducks and beavers. It’s also home to a marsh and has a lovely picnic area perfect for families to enjoy on a summer day. The park is suitable for hiking year-round. Burnaby Mountain Burnaby Mountain’s viewpoint offers scenic views of Burrard Inlet, downtown Vancouver and Indian Arm. What’s more, there is a number of lovely trails to hike through on the mountain, which makes it an ideal place to get some exercise and soak in the marvellous panoramic view. Burnaby Mountain is the perfect place to bring your kids because of the numerous trails available for all fitness levels.

Photo: istock

That being said, there are a number of great places to hike near Vancouver, which offer scenic views on great tails that are suitable for youngsters.

The hike provides numerous opportunities for stunning, panoramic views of the wild Coquihalla River from its connecting bridges. There’s also a number of breathtaking waterfalls and lush vegetation to view along the way.

Othello Tunnels

British Columbia is home to a vast number of breathtaking places to hike. However, not all hiking locations are suitable for children.

treats

Avocado ice cream Sandra Thomas | sthomas@vancourier.com

You know that blender you’ve been using to make kale and apple smoothies (or margaritas)? Well, it can also be used as an instrument of change when put to use making no-churn avocado ice cream. This recipe is easy and only uses three ingredients — and is definitely not vegan.

Ingredients

Method

1 ripe, extra-large avocado

Peel, seed and cut avocado into chunks

1 14-oz (420 ml) can of condensed milk 2 cups chilled heavy cream

Smoke Shop

Add avocado and condensed milk into a blender and mix on high until smooth Poor avocado mixture into a large bowl

In a second bowl whip cream until it forms stiff peaks

Gently fold one-third of the whipped cream to the avocado mixture, repeating the cream is fully incorporated Pour mixture into a nine-by-five loaf pan and freeze overnight until cold Scoop out and enjoy

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road trip Long weekend getaways Nothing says weekend fun more than a road trip Elana Shepert | contributing writer

Osoyoos Osoyoos is a feast for the eyes. Surrounded by desert, lined with rolling mountains and filled with beautiful vineyards, it offers an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is roughly a four-hour drive from Vancouver and boasts a range of lovely hotels, resorts and worldclass wineries. What’s more, the town is known for its beautiful beaches and water sports facilities. Tofino Tofino offers a rugged landscape with some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and the best surfing in B.C., as well as beaches that suit varying levels of expertise. There are also a number of luxurious spas in the area and a burgeoning food scene with some notable local chefs. Yoga is an extremely popular choice for visitors to Tofino who can choose from the following options: beach yoga, SUP yoga, yoga and wellness retreats, corporate/ private events, yoga kids summer camps and bridal yoga services. Galiano Island Not only is Galiano Island one of the most beautiful places in B.C., but it’s not far from Vancouver. While it does take a couple

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Pemberton Located just north of Whistler, Pemberton is the ideal place to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Nearby Joffre Lakes Provincial Park offers one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country. Pemberton is also a great place to join a breathtaking horseback riding tour, with options ranging from one-hour to multi-day adventures. The area is also perfect for camping — there are campgrounds offering accommodation for RVs, campers and tents. Gibsons Gibsons offers beautiful ocean views from its charming hillside location on the Sunshine Coast. There’s always a selection of beautiful boats docked in the harbour, as well as fresh seafood for sale from the docks. Gibsons is home to Molly’s Reach restaurant, which was the site of CBC’s popular Beachcombers TV series. In addition, the journey is only a 40-minute ride from Horseshoe Bay, which makes it ideal for a last-minute getaway.

Photo: iStock

Photo: sandra thomas

Not only does Osoyoos offer some of the best wines available from B.C., the gorgeous views make it a must-see destination.

Actually, in this case, it’s called a longweekend, but regardless of what you call it, that extra day off means it’s a perfect excuse for a road trip.

hours to get to — and includes a ferry ride — it offers a serene escape. From its sandstone formations that create breathtaking, natural galleries to observe the shoreline from, to its lush, ancient forests, Galiano is truly the “gem of the Gulf Islands.” In addition, visitors can enjoy boating, hiking, kayaking, moped riding, festivals and whale watching.

Joffre Lake in Pemberton.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

concerts PNE concert lineup

This year’s Summer Night concert series includes Blue Rodeo, UB40 and a tribute to the 1990s Sandra Thomas | thomas@vancourier.com

I attended the Kool and the Gang concert last year as part of the Summer Night concert series at the Fair at the PNE and my feet still hurt from dancing.

Saturday, Aug. 17:

Blue Rodeo Sunday, Aug. 18:

ZZ Top — 50th anniversary tour Tuesday, Aug. 20:

98 Degrees Wednesday, Aug. 21:

Burton Cummings and band thursday, Aug. 22:

Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe fame Friday, Aug. 23:

Smokey Robinson Saturday, Aug. 24:

Collective Soul and Gin Blossoms — Now’s the Time Tour Sunday, Aug. 25:

STYX Tuesday, Aug. 27

UB40 — For the Many — 40th anniversary tour

Wednesday, Aug. 28:

Colin James Thursday, Aug. 29:

I Love the ’90’s featuring Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan, Biz Markie and Rob Base Friday, Aug. 30:

Hammer’s House Party featuring MC Hammer with special guest Bobby Brown

Photo: Sandra Thomas

2 0 1 9 P NE S u m m e r Night Concert Series

Last year Kool and Gang had fans on their feet at the Fair at the PNE.

This year’s lineup is proving to be just as dance worthy and includes Blue Rodeo, Smokey Robinson, ZZ Top and I love the ’90’s featuring Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan, Biz Markie and Rob Base. TLC will also get you on your feet as they stop in Vancouver as part of their 25th anniversary tour.

Saturday, Aug. 31:

Billy Idol Sunday, Sept. 1:

The Beach Boys Monday, Sept. 2:

TLC — 25th anniversary party The Summer Night concert series runs every night of the Fair at the PNE, Aug. 17 to Sept. 2 — the Fair is closed Aug. 19 and 26. The Summer Night concerts take place in the PNE Amphitheatre and are free with admission. Superfans can reserve their seats in advance for a cost. Visit pne.ca/summer-night-concerts. summer 2019

day trip BOOM! at Britannia Mine Museum

N e w a t t r a c t i o n u s e s l i g h t, s o u n d a n d a n i m a t i o n t o b r i n g o l d c o pp e r m i n e b a c k t o l i f e Sandra Thomas | sthomas@vancourier.com

That was the verdict of our five-year-old granddaughter as the new live action attraction BOOM! at the Britannia Mine Museum came to an end during a media sneak peek. But it wasn’t just the kids who were impressed with BOOM!, which uses light, animation and sound to bring the 20-storey, historic Mill building back to life at the museum, located in Britannia Beach, just south of Squamish along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Adults and kids of all ages were mesmerized as they sat through the 12 minute, multisensory, acoustic adventure, which transports visitors back in time to the 1920s when the mine was booming as the largest copper producer in the British Commonwealth.

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As our “tour guide” talked us through the workings of the mine, an ancient rail cart, which used to carry rock, came to life, while sparks flew above us as if from a welder’s torch and booming sounds mimicked what once was.

Photo: sandra thomas

“Cool.”

Sophia Malley Harvey explores a man mover at Britannia Mine.

Photo: sandra thomas

This track comes alive as part of the new BOOM! attraction at Britannia Mine Museum.

BOOM!, which opened June 1, is narrated by a young man dressed in miner’s overalls who spoke to us from a small video screen and described — in easy-to-follow detail — the history of the mine, how the massive machinery in front of us worked to extract copper from the surrounding rock and how the light shining from the mine’s hundreds of windows became a beacon, not only to the community built up around it, which eventually reached 60,000, but also to sailors out at sea. BOOM! is a creative collaboration between the museum’s board of directors, Vista Collaborative Arts and Dynamic Attractions, a Port Coquitlam-based company known for its international projects, including rides at theme parks such as Universal Studios and Disney.

For some reason I had never previously

visited the Britannia Mine Museum, and I have no idea why that was. In fact, we had so much fun we cancelled our Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day brunch reservation to spend more time wandering the mine. For more information, visit britanniaminemuseum.ca.

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Photo: Britannia Mine Museum

You can follow the history of the mine in the once deserted buildings, which now house displays and attractions, including the Beaty-Lundin Visitor Centre, the main exhibition hall, which showcases theatrical mining displays, a mineral gallery, theatre space, an interactive play area and the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. We were also able to clamber aboard a rusted yellow train, which took us deep inside a mining tunnel, and we learned about the drills and machines the miners used between 1904 and 1974.

Some of the live action that takes place during the new BOOM! exhibit at Britannia Mine Museum.

Photo: Laura Malley Harvey

Lochlan Harvey and Alycia (middle) and Sophia Malley Harvey donned hardhats for an underground train ride at Britannia Mine Museum.

Following the experience, we were able to explore the vintage white Mill building, which looms over the mine and, for many, acts as a landmark on the highway between Vancouver and Squamish and Whistler.

Leave the crowds behind. Sun Peaks. Where you belong.