Inside Vancouver

New Trout Lake Community Centre Opens This Weekend, February 18

by Dana Lynch in Family Friendly on February 17, 2012

Trout Lake Community Centre

For many East Vancouverites, Trout Lake (or, to be precise, John Hendry Park) is the place to head for outdoor recreation: the picturesque park boasts beautiful mountain views on the northern end of the lake, a sandy beach and playground, easy paths for walking, biking, or taking the stroller, and a fantastic off-leash dog area for letting your mutt meet-and-greet, get wet, and just generally run wild.

Also in the park is the Trout Lake Community Centre, but as nearby-residents know, the Centre has been closed for a $21.2 million reconstruction. Finally, after many months of waiting, everyone can see the results of that $21.2 million: Saturday, February 18, is the grand (re) opening party for the Trout Lake Community Centre, and everyone is invited!

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New Trout Lake Community Centre Opens This Weekend, February 18

Early blooms + new Truffles Cafe at VanDusen Botanical Garden

by Taraneh in Family Friendly on February 16, 2012

In Vancouver, there’s no need to wait for April showers to bring May flowers. It’s raining now and early flowering bulbs are already making an appearance at VanDusen Botanical Garden – one of the top ten public gardens in North America – along with a few other lovely bloom varieties.

Beyond the welcome injection of spring colour, VanDusen also boasts the brand new Truffles Fine Foods Garden Café in their architecturally-stunning and eco-friendly Visitor Centre, which opened in October 2011.

Find out more about which flowers you can view now and the Truffles Café menu after the jump.
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Early blooms + new Truffles Cafe at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Winterruption 2012 Festival on Granville Island February 24 – 26

by Dana Lynch in Family Friendly on February 9, 2012

Winterruption Arts Festival at Granville Island

February 2012 is shaping up to be a month packed with things to do in Vancouver: This weekend is the inaugural City and Slope Festival (which includes Illuminate Yaletown), next week there are 10 Things to Do on Valentine’s Day, and at the end of February there’s the 7th annual Winterruption Festival on Granville Island.

Winterruption 2012 is a three-day festival loaded with all-ages fun. Celebrating both local and international artists of all disciplines, the festival has kids’ theatre and activities, art exhibitions from Granville Island’s many residents artists and artisans, live music presented by the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, and foodie events from Edible Canada. Basically, if you love food, theatre, music, and arts, they’ve got you covered.

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Winterruption 2012 Festival on Granville Island February 24 – 26

Chinese New Year 2012: Five fab regional events

by Taraneh in Family Friendly on January 20, 2012

Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is approaching faster than the beat of a lion dance. I should know; I just lost half an hour watching the Lion Dance Championships on YouTube.

The first day of the Year of the Dragon is January 23 and the festivities keep rolling for another 15 days. Dana covered Vancouver’s packed Chinese New Year event schedule, including the parade in Chinatown January 29. Thanks to the region’s robust Chinese-Canadian population, there’s a lot of celebratory events outside of Vancouver too.

Here’s a round up of Chinese New Year events in the communities surrounding Vancouver. Bonus: The events below are all inside, so you can stay warm and dry. Continue reading:
Chinese New Year 2012: Five fab regional events

Fort Langley’s “Vive les Voyageurs” Winter Festival (Win Free Tickets!)

by Inside Vancouver in Family Friendly on January 18, 2012

photo: Fort Langley National Historic Site

Fort Langley National Historic Site proudly presents the 3rd annual “Vive les Voyageurs” Winter Festival, January 28-29 from 10 am – 5 pm. Visitors will experience a celebration of the vibrant French-Canadian culture that thrives today in British Columbia, and first emerged in the region when the Hudson’s Bay Company arrived in 1827 at Fort Langley.

Savour French-Canadian dishes including split pea soup, sugar pie, and of course poutine at the Full Barrel Café. The café will also be cooking up the newest recipe on Parks Canada’s Heritage Food app – tourtière.

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Fort Langley’s “Vive les Voyageurs” Winter Festival (Win Free Tickets!)

New Trout Lake Community Centre Opens This Weekend, February 18

Early blooms + new Truffles Cafe at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Winterruption 2012 Festival on Granville Island February 24 – 26

Chinese New Year 2012: Five fab regional events

Fort Langley’s “Vive les Voyageurs” Winter Festival (Win Free Tickets!)

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