THE LOGOS OF THE SEATTLE KRAKEN AND VANCOUVER'S SYLVIA HOTEL ARE SOMEWHAT SIMILAR

 

The Seattle Kraken, which joined the National Hockey League's Pacific Division of the Western Conference in 2021, calls Climate Pledge Arena their home. The team's name, Kraken, is derived from the mythical kraken of Scandinavian folklore and its resemblance to the native giant Pacific octopus, found in the waters of Puget Sound. The colorful logo was created by Seattle's Cody Pearson Design. 

"Kraken: A fabulous Scandinavian sea monster perhaps imagined on the basis of chance sights of giant squids. It appears in literature in a poem of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's juvenilia called "The Kraken".

 Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

Vancouver's Sylvia Hotel opened on May 13, 1913 as a 70-unit apartment building. Known then as Sylvia Court, it was the tallest building in the city. In 1975, the City of Vancouver designated the Sylvia a heritage building, one of the few publicly accessible heritage buildings in Vancouver.

The hotel is located on English Bay in Vancouver's West End. Boston ivy, a trademark feature of the hotel, covers more than half of the property in seasonal colors. The vines are the legacy of one of Sylvia Court’s first tenants, Mrs. Kenvyn, who started the plant after World War II.

On July 2, 1954, the medieval themed TILTING ROOM opened at the Sylvia Hotel, making it Vancouver's first cocktail lounge. Pictured above is a photo I took of the hotel's cocktail menu while visiting Vancouver during the city's 2018 Celebration of Light, an annual fireworks competition. 

This year's fireworks competition on English Bay, Honda Celebration of Light, will be held July 22-29, 2023. The three countries participating are Australia, Mexico and the Philippines. I took the fireworks photo from the Sylvia Hotel while dining on their outdoor patio.

PS: The burger and fries were delicious! 

©SueFrausePhotos

 

Rogers Hometown Hockey tour makes a stop in Whistler to celebrate hockey in the mountains

The Rogers Hometown Hockey tour is making its way to Whistler this winter. Throughout the weekend of February 9 and 10, 2019 the tour invites families and friends to celebrate hockey in the mountains. 

For two days, hockey fans may attend free hockey-inspired activities at Whistler Olympic Plaza. From a hockey circus show and live music to NHL alumni appearances and a LIVE Sportsnet broadcast with hosts Ron McLean and Tara Slone, Rogers Hometown Hockey will honor the hockey tradition in Canada. Highlights include:

• Hockey Circus Show | Feb. 9-10  This hockey-inspired acrobatic show features everything from juggling to flaming hockey sticks. 
• Parade of Champions | Feb. 10  Community teams and groups march throughout the festival sporting their jerseys and showcasing their love for hockey. The hockey march ends at Sportsnet Mobile Studio for the LIVE Sportsnet broadcast. 
• LIVE Sportsnet Broadcast | Feb. 10  Hosts Ron McLean and Tara Slone will broadcast live from Whistler Olympic Plaza -- sharing stories that celebrate the hockey history and culture in Whistler. Following the broadcast, the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the New York Rangers on the big screen in Olympic Plaza.

For the full event schedule and details, click on the Rogers Hometown Hockey tour link. The event is sponsored by the Resort Municipality of Whistler via funding provided by the BC Province. 

Guests wanting to pair their love for hockey with skiing may take advantage of a number of winter packages when booking with Whistler.com. BC and Washington State residents can enjoy exclusive offers as Whistler Rewards members. 

For accommodation bookings in January and February, Whistler Rewards members will receive two complimentary Fresh Tracks tickets for a buffet breakfast and early access to the slopes at Whistler Blackcomb.

Michael Buble, Don Cherry and Ron MacLean among six inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame 2015

Michael Buble, Musician

Don Cherry and Don MacLean, Hockey Broadcasters
Coach's Corner 

Loren Green, Actor
Cineplex Legends Inductee

Silken Laumen, Athlete

Wendy Crewson, Actor

Lawrence Hill, Author

Canada's Walk of Fame 2015 takes place Saturday, November 7 at Toronto's Sony Centre. The event will honor this year's Canada's Walk of Fame Inductees (above) and the Allan Slaight Honour recipient, Shawn Mendes. Presenters for this year's Inductees are:

Trevor Linden for Michael Buble

Rex Murphy for Don Cherry and Ron MacLean

Richard Hatch for Lorne Green

Johann Koss for Silken Laumann

Brian Topp for Wendy Crewson

Molly Johnson for Lawrence Hill

Shawn Mendes, the 17-year-old singer/songwriter and multi-platinum recording artist, will perform on stage at the event. Also on the program is four-time JUNO Award winner Johnny Reid, performing music from his upcoming album (What Love is All About), to be released November 13, 2015. The ceremony, hosted by Jason Priestley, will be filmed for national broadcast on Global and is scheduled to air on Thursday, December 17 at 8PM ET/PT.

Canada's Walk of Fame acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians in the fields of music, science, literature, sports, film and social justice. A series of maple leaf-like stars is imbedded along 13 designated blocks in Toronto, located in front of Roy Thomson Hall, The Princess of Wales Theatre, The Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street and Simcoe Street. The first group was inducted in 1998. To date, 161 Canadians have been honored.

Mudd, Sweat & Tears: Mud Run Obstacle Course Races to Cross Canada

A new competitive event kicks off in Kelowna, BC on May 4, 2013 and will travel to five other venues across Canada. Mudd, Sweat & Tears is an obstacle course race where hundreds of hard-body fitness fiends, runners and athletes will take on some of Canada's toughest terrain, steep inclines and muddy conditions.

The event was founded by Adventure Architects of Canada, a professional sports marketing and event management company based in Rossland, BC. The two-day event challenges participants' stamina, strength and perseverance with a number of race routes: 5km, 10km and a most extreme obstacle course mud run. Among the many obstacles and challenges are ropes, climbing walls, slides and ice baths -- all while trudging knee deep through mud pits. 

John Reed, who I met a number of years ago when he had a kayaking business in BC, is with Adventure Architects and gung-ho about the event. "It's so much more than a race," he said. In addition to bringing Canada's dedicated fitness community together, John says it's an opportunity to "push personal limits, conquer fears and prove to your mates, fellow competitors and yourself that you have too much grit to quit!"

Extreme obstacle course racing is among the latest and fiercest of trends to hit the fitness world. Courses are selected and designed with Canada's unique outdoor offerings in mind, and individual locales feature signature obstacles that reflect the unique characteristics of each designation. The timed obstacle course events are as much about crossing the finish line and helping fellow competitors as winning the race. Registration is $60-$150 per entrant.

2013 Mudd, Sweat & Tears Schedule 

• May 4 | MST Kelowna | Lake Okanagan Resort | Kelowna, BC  

• July 6-7 | MST Rockies | Fernie Alpine Resort  Fernie, BC

• Aug. 17 | MST Vancouver Island | Mount Washington Alpine Resort, BC

• Aug. 31-Sept. 1 | MST Ottawa Valley Wilderness Tours Resort | Beachburg, ON

• Sept. 28 | MST Ottawa Urban | Mooney's Bay  Park, ON

• Oct. 5 | Niagara Falls | Niagara Falls, ON

About Mudd, Sweat & Tears  Mudd, Sweat & Tears (MST) pushes athletes, runners and fitness enthusiasts to the limit with the ultimate 5k and 10k  mud run obstacle course race. Competitors can prove endurance, test toughness, and have a crazy amount of fun with the MST race line-up, and then take on the epic MST monster obstacle course mud run, in addition to the 5k & 10k format. Not for the faint of heart or unprepared. Participants will get dirty, muddy, scraped up, cold, physically and mentally punished, and may end up smiling continuously. The MST series supports Breakfast Clubs of Canada as their national charity partner by donating a portion of net receipts towards the organization that raises money to ensure every child in Canada has an equal start in life. The 2013 Mudd, Sweat & Tears race series includes six events across Canada, from Vancouver Island to Niagara Falls. By 2014, the USA and Australia will host events on their home turf. 

Photos courtesy Adventure Architects of Canada 

Curling Artist Jayne Childs Tapped as Artist in Residence at The Fairmont Empress

I didn't know there was such a thing as a curling artist, but hey, this is Canada! The Fairmont Empress in Victoria has invited curling artist Jayne Childs to be its Artist in Residence in the hotel's historic conservatory, March 23-April 8, 2013. 

Childs' return to her childhood hometown of Victoria coincides with the 2013 Ford World Men's Curling Championships held at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in BC's capital city, March 30-April 7, 2013. The Fairmont Empress is the host hotel and silver sponsor of the championships. 

The artist's appearance includes the opening of her exhibition featuring a watercolour portfolio of curling champions. It also marks the official release of the first in the series of Limited Edition collector prints of curling masters from Canada and elsewhere around the world.

Curlers featured in Child's porfolio include Olympian Russ Howard, Olympic Champion Cheryl Bernard, Jeff Stoughton and many others. Her 40-year background of working in the trades as a union apprenticed drywaller to a set painter segued into embracing her childhood joy of art. Although she works in many mediums, from metal sculptures to graphic film, Childs' passion is watercolour and pencil-sketch portraits of curling champions.

"What started as a gift for her community has grown into a legitimate portfolio of portraits of curling champions, that was created to support and celebrate champions. Artist J. Childs nailed my character and likeness. I am honoured to have been her inspiration to create this portfolio, to do for the sport of curling, what has been done for so many other sports and their champions." Russ Howard, Canadian curler and Olympic champion

Childs exhibition of large watercolour portrait originals will be on display in The Fairmont Empress' Conservatory March 23-April 8, from 12-8 PM daily (except Easter Sunday). The Limited Edition collector prints are signed and endorsed by the curling champions and will be available for purchase. The Conservatory is located adjacent to The Bengal Lounge and may be accessed via the Victoria Conference Centre.  

NHL Lockout Over: 'Hockey Night in Canada' returns for its 60th season on CBC

Hockey memorabilia on display at Winnipeg's MTS Centre. Sue Frause photo.

I'm not one to watch hockey on TV, but did notice while flipping around on my remote on Saturday night that hockey is back! With what seemed to be the never ending NHL lockout, a memorandum of understanding was finally signed and the NHL released its revised 48-game schedule -- it started on January 19, 2013.

Now celebrating its 60th season, CBC's Hockey Night in Canada not only has a new version of its theme song Hockey Tonight (performed by Colin MacDonald of The Trews), it has made some other changes, with both familiar and new faces on the air. 

Scotiabank Hockey Tonight features host Ron MacLean along with hockey insiders and analysts Glenn Healy, P.J. Stock, Kevin, Weekes, Elliotte Friedman and Andi Petrillo. The Coach's Corner features the colorfully entertaining Don Cherry alongside MacLean. And this season, Cherry's views will be more prominent, as he'll be appearing at the end of the first period of the Prime West games. Which means one more look at the outfit that "Grapes" has decided to don for the evening. 

For fans into social networking, Hockey Night in Canada: 2nd Screen includes top content from the social media world, with up to date NHL news and a chance to test your hockey knowledge. And for tweeters, use the hashtag #HockeyNight on Twitter. 

Winnipeg's James Armstrong Richardson's International Airport. Sue Frause photo.

2011 Grey Cup Festival Features Football, Cory Monteith, Nickelback

While Americans will be reveling in leftovers following their Thanksgiving dinners, Canadians will have something other than turkey on their minds. The 99th Annual Grey Cup Festival is in Vancouver Nov. 24-27, 2011.

Hosted by the BC Lions Football Club, highlights of the four-day festival include the Telus Street Fest, Friday-Sunday; Vanier Cup Championship at BC Place on Friday; Safeway Grey Cup Festival Parade on Saturday; and the 99th Grey Cup Championship at BC Place on Sunday. Plus all the other activities that make for a pre-winter celebration in Vancouver.

Friday's Vanier Cup (Coupe Vanier) pits the McMaster Marauders of Hamilton, Ontario against Quebec's Laval Rouge et Or. I'd never heard of the cup, and discovered it's the championship game of Canadian Interuniversity Sport football, played between the winners of the Uteck Bowl and the Mitchell Bowl.

The Safeway Grey Cup Festival Parade, which features Glee star (and BC boy!) Cory Monteith as the Grand Marshal, is on Saturday at 10 AM. It begins at Smithe and Hornby, turning onto Burrard toward the water. While part of the procession travels west on West Cordova, the other will travel down Canada Place Way. It will end at the Nissan Family Zone in Jack Poole Plaza around 12 noon. Organizers are expecting about 125,000 people for the family event.

The 99th Grey Cup on Sunday decides the champion for the 2011 CFL Season. This year's contest is between Eastern Division champions Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the hometown Western Division champions BC Lions. It's only the second time the two teams have faced off for the Grey Cup -- the other was in 1988 during the 76th Grey Cup. It will be played at the recently refurbished BC Place Stadium, which now has a new retractable roof as part of its $458 million renovation.

Entertainment for the Grey Cup's Pepsi MAX Half-Time Show will be provided by multi-platinum selling rock band Nickelback. The Canadian band members (Chad and Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peak, Daniel Adair) are originally from Hanna, Alberta. They're now based in Vancouver.

Elsewhere, Colin James will be taking his full band to the Molson Canadian House, which features entertainment throughout the weekend. As part of the Vancouver Convention Centre West, it's open to ages 19 and over who want to enjoy a cold beer and cool music. Colin peforms Friday from 9:30-11 PM. Click on for the complete schedule.

Vancouver cleans up following the June 15 Stanley Cup riots

I was in Victoria during Game #7 of the Stanley Cup Final that was played in Vancouver. Although I'd been following the Canucks in their quest to bring home the coveted Stanley Cup, I didn't watch Wednesday night's game. I was having dinner with a friend, and we'd occasionally glance at the game on TV, but quickly lost interest as the score went in Boston's favor. In the end, Vancouver lost to the Bruins 4-0. The quest was over.

When I returned to my room at nearby Fairholme Manor, I turned on the news, and for three hours watched the mad mayhem taking place in the streets of Vancouver. I was mad. I was sad. It was heartbreaking. I wrote about it in Crosscut, an online Seattle-based news site: It's '94 all over again: Hooligans give Vancouver a bad name.

Among the many downtown businesses hit by the hooligans was London Drugs -- their store at Georgia and Granville suffered damage. The company recently released a statement about the June 15 riots on their blog. Here's part of President and CEO Wynne Powell's statement that he issued on June 16:

"We are grateful to our security staff and the assistance from the Vancouver Police Department that our staff were able to leave the store unharmed," said Wynne Powell, London Drugs president and CEO. "This is a sad moment in the history of Vancouver. Our Georgia and Granville street London Drugs store has suffered significant damage and will not open on time today as a result of the rioting. We need to assess the damage."

Vancouver will rise above the madness that took over its city on that dark, dark night. Its people are strong. And those hooligans were so, so wrong.

Vancouver, with Stanley Park in the foreground, as seen from HeliJet the day before the riots on June 15, 2011. Photo by Sue Frause.

Stanley Cup Final: Canuck fever takes over Vancouver in Game 5

My morning news and latte with a heart at Caffe Artigiano on West Cordova.

A "Canuckmobile" was parked in front of CTV Studios in downtown Vancouver.

Even public transit in is into the game; a TransLink bus celebrates hockey.

Friday morning of Game 5 and Vancouverites are proudly wearing their blue.

Wayne Bartlett and Grace Cullen of The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's 900 West.

Fun watching the game at Hotel Vancouver. Read more in my Crosscut post.

Let the celebration begin! More than 100,000 people were in the streets Friday.

The Vancouver Police Department was in charge of traffic and crowd control.

Another sea of blue as revelers make their way down Robson to celebrate.

Photos by Sue Frause

Vancouver prepares for Game #5, hoping for a home victory

Even though I'm a Closet Canuck, I didn't travel to Vancouver with the sole intent of watching Game #5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Tonight is a biggie, with the final tied at 2-2, and the Boston Bruins comin' on strong in the last two games played in Beantown. No, the reason I took Amtrak Cascades north to Vancouver was to attend TBEX '11. This weekend is the third annual Travel Blogger Exchange conference, with more than 600+ travel bloggers/writers/industry types expected.

But back to Game #5. Prior to the TBEX '11 opening kickoff party at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 8 PM tonight, I'll wend my way to one of the public viewing areas to watch the game with the locals. The past two games were pretty pathetic -- not only because of the way the Canucks underperformed, but because I was watching them home alone. Hockey is not a solo sport! Sadly, I don't have any hockey apparel, so I'll just show up as myself. I don't think anybody will mind.

Go Canucks Go!

My morning latte and newspaper at Caffe Artigiano on West Cordova Street
Photo by Sue Frause

Olympic Cauldron relit for Canucks, viewing areas expanded

The outdoor viewing areas for the Stanley Cup Final in downtown Vancouver just got bigger and better. Due to the large turnout of fans watching the Canucks take on the Boston Bruins, the Granville location will be closed and relocated to Georgia Street. Two large screens and a much larger viewing area will be created to watch Game 3 beginning Monday, June 6 at 5 PM. Earlier in the day, the Olympic Cauldron will be re-lit at Jack Poole Plaza by BC Premier Christy Clarke at 3 PM.

Although the Granville location proved to be too small for the large crowds, Granville Street is expected to continued to be the unofficial celebration street after the game. Businesses are being encouraged to remove their street furniture and signage by the middle of the third period to accommodate large pedestrian crowds. Bus service is expected to be re-routed off Granville Street sometime on Monday in anticipation of game-time revelry.

The new Georgia Street viewing-screen locations will provide six lanes of road space as well as sidewalks, creating a safe family-viewing arena. Since Georgia has a slope, it will make for a better view of the 17 x 23 ft. screen that will be located in the intersection of Hamilton and Georgia. A second large screen will be positioned at Homer and Georgia.

The CBC Vancouver Fan Zone activities on Hamilton will continue with the CBC monitor and a second viewing screen showing the game. Click for more information about this and other locales for viewing. Vendors from Vancouver's street-food program will set up in the viewing areas; fans are invited to bring their own drinking water.

The Olympic Cauldron, seen here in January 2011, will be re-lit for the Canucks
Photo by Sue Frause

Winnipeg celebrates the return of the National Hockey League

While Vancouver and British Columbia are still celebrating the Canucks' win over the Boston Bruins in Game #1 of the Stanley Cup Final, three provinces to the east in Manitoba there's a whole lot of happy hockey fans, too.

True North Sports & Entertainment Limited has entered into an agreement with Atlanta Spirit, LLC to purchase the Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Club of the National Hockey League. The purchase will be subject to the NHL Board of Governors approval at a board meeting on June 21, 2011.

That aproval is based on a number of things, including the level of support shown by the Winnipeg community during a season ticket campaign. True North kicked off its Drive to 13,000 campaign earlier this week, which includes presales as well as general public onsales. The presale, June 1-3 (ending at 10 PM), provides existing Manitoba Moose season ticket holders, mini pack holders and corporate advertising the oppotunity to purchase seats during the advance window presale. The public onsale to the general public begins June 4 at 12 o'clock noon.

Once the NHL Board of Governors approval is granted, the purchase of the Thrashers by True North will be complete, clearing the way for the NHL club to relocate to Winnipeg’s MTS Centre for the 2011-2012 hockey season. Currently, Winnipeg is home to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Manitoba was home to the Winnipeg Jets, a NHL hockey team, from 1979-1996. Due to money issues, the franchise moved to Phoenix where they played as the Phoenix Coyotes. As far as what this new NHL franchise will be called, it's anybody's guess.

These young fisherman in Winnipeg will be able to cheer on their home team when the NHL returns to their hometown for the 2011-2012 hockey season. Photo by Sue Frause.

Road Game Viewing Party: Vancouver's Rogers Arena broadcasts Canucks' Stanley Cup Final away games

The Vancouver Canucks will be hosting a Road Game Viewing Party at Rogers Arena (formerly GM Place) for Stanley Cup Final away games on June 6, 8 and 13. Tickets for each game will go on sale via phone and internet only on Friday, June 3 at 12 noon. Tickets are $10 each, plus a handling fee. Each household will be eligible to purchase a maximum of six tickets per game.

Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.ca/canucks or via Ticketmaster at 855.523.6800. Tickets will be also available at the Rogers Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster Ticket Centres on Saturday, June 4, based on availability.

The family-friendly event will include face painting, cartoon drawings and other kid-centric activities. Doors open at 4 PM for the 5 PM puck drop as each game is broadcast from Boston's TD Garden, home of the Bruins. More information may be found at www.canucks.com/roadgames.

The Vancouver Canucks are asking fans to celebrate responsibly as the team continues through the playoffs: "Cheer loudly and wear Canucks colours, show respect for fellow fans, respect our neighbours and the property of others as you leave Rogers Arena and plan for a safe ride home."

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Canucks for Kids Fund. To read about free viewing areas in Vancouver for both home and away games during the Stanley Cup Final, click on my Seattle Travel Examiner site.

Rogers Arena (formerly GM Place) is the "hard roof" stadium located next to B.C. Place, seen here in January 2011. B.C. Place is currently under renovations for a new roof. Photo by Sue Frause.

Stanley Cup Finals: Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins

No doubt about who I'll be rooting for during the Stanley Cup Finals. Although my son spent four years in Beantown while attending Boston College, my puck belongs to the Vancouver Canucks.

Stanley Cup Fever is spreading across British Columbia and Canada. I received a request from a Twitter follower in Victoria, BC as to where she could watch Game 5 on June 10 here on Whidbey Island. She and her husband will be visiting family, who unforutnately don't have cable tv. Saying that her hubby was "nervous" about where he could watch the finals, I gave her a few names of taverns and bars: Toby's Tavern in Coupeville; Mo's Pub & Eatery in Langley; and Cozy's Roadhouse in Clinton. Here's the official broadcast schedule via NBC:

NHL on Versus and NBC

Wednesday, June 1Game 1: Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Saturday, June 4Game 2: Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday, June 6Game 3: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (Versus)

Wednesday, June 8Game 4: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (Versus)

Friday, June 10Game 5: Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday, June 13Game 6: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Wednesday, June 15Game 7: Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

And of course it will be broadcast on CBC, which we get via Comcast. That will be my preferred channel of choice, as it's much more fun to watch it from a Canadian perspective.

So who's gonna bring home the Stanley Cup -- the Canucks or the Bruins? Here's a fun article from The Province, which includes predictions from the new premier, a prognosticating pug (I know his Vancouver owners!) and a psychic.

On Royal Wedding eve, Canada turns its eyes toward Nashville

Now that the Vancouver Canucks are the lone Canadian team left in the NHL playoffs, after the Montreal Canadiens lost to the Boston Bruins, all eyes will be on Nashville. On the eve of Friday's Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey, hockey fans will be watching the Canucks take on the Nashville Predators. According to Miss 604, a popular blogger in Vancouver, there's even a battle of bloggers going on between the two cities.

I visited Music City for the first time in 2009, and even though I'm not a huge listener of country western music, I was pretty smitten with the city. It's got heart 'n soul and is a whole lot of fun. I'm admittedly not a hockey fan, maybe because Seattle doesn't have an NHL team, so I'm a bit out of the loop on who the teams are. But I was surprised to see that in addition to the legendary Grand Ole Opry, Nashville has a hockey team named the Predators.

At the time, the Predators played at Sommet Center, now known as Bridgestone Arena, and just a few guitar picks away from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. On the outside of the arena was a huge poster that read, Welcome to Smashville. The Predators even have their own song, aptly called Smashville.

Vancouver's first two matches against the Predators are played at home on April 28 and 30 at Rogers Arena. On May 3 and 5, it's off to Nashville, and Game 5 is back in Vancouver on May 7. Games 5-6 are TBD.

The Tennessee State Capitol, built in 1859, is located in the heart of Nashville

Photo by Sue Frause

Cheer on Canucks at Shangri-la Hotel Vancouver's private theatre

The Shangri-la Hotel, Vancouver is providing a special venue to watch the Canucks in style. The hotel's Blue Moon Theatre is a private, state-of-the-art screening room with 36 plus leather seats. The 9X5 Stewart screen features full HD capability, plus full surround sound. With rates starting at $500 CAD, here's what you'll get:

Full service bartender
Truffle popcorn from MARKET by Jean Georges
Full seating for up to 36 guests to cheer on the Canucks

If you fill the theater, that's only about $14 each! Food and beverages are extra, as are tax and gratuities. For reservations, contact David Bachtel at 604.661.3361 or email him at david.bachtel@shangri-la.com.

For the 2010-2011 playoff schedule and results, click on the Vancouver Canucks' website.

Help the Vancouver Canucks sweep the series with Granville Island Broom Company's Limited Edition Hockey-Stick Brooms

Even if you're not a hockey fan, it's hard to miss the craziness over the Vancouver Canucks. As the team competes in the NHL Playoffs, hoping to bring home the coveted Stanley Cup, businesses are jumping on the puckwagon. Granville Island Broom Company has released a Limited Edition Hockey-Stick Broom. Artisans Mary and Sara Schwieger and Jori Bojm have created fun and functional floor brooms using recycled hockey stick handles.

The three co-owners are all big hockey fans, and think it's a creative way to extend their craft of traditional broom making. When customers started making puns in their shop about the Canucks sweeping the series or sweeping the cup, they knew they had to act on it. "Attaching a broom to a recycled hockey stick was the best way of showing our support," said Jori Bojm. "Plus, we've found a way to practice our slap shot while clearing the kitchen floor."

The Limited Edition Hockey-Stick Brooms retail for $75. They're available at the Granville Island Broom Company for the duration of the NHL playoff season, or while supplies last.

The Granville Island Broom Company was established in 2010, inspired by the work of Rob and Janet Schwieger (parents of co-owners Sarah and Mary). Rob and Janet have owned and operated North Woven Broom Company in Crawford Bay, BC since 1992. The handmade brooms have been featured on TV and movies.

Dancing With The Stars' Chris Jericho hails from Winnipeg

As a fan of Dancing With the Stars, I was surprised to hear that Chris Jericho was raised in Canada. And by "hear," it's because last night when he dedicated the foxtrot to his mother who died from cancer, I "heard" the word mum on several occasions. That's so Canadian.

Chris is best known for being a champion with WWE. For those like me not that all familiar with the wrestling world, that stands for World Wrestling Entertainment. And according to his website, Chris is also "a talented actor, television personality, radio host, and rock star." He's lead singer of the rock band Fozzy and author of A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex.

Chris was born Manhasset, New York on Nov. 9, 1970 as Christopher Keith "Chris" Irvine, but was raised in Winnipeg.

Chris Jericho and partner Cheryl Burke on Dancing With The Stars

Order of Canada includes Jamie Kennedy and Captain Canuck!

The Order of Canada was bestowed upon 54 appointees by the Right Honorable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada on Dec. 30, 2010. They include 12 Officers (O.C) and 42 Members (C.M.). They were made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.

As one of the country's highest civilian honors, the Order of Canada was established in 1967, during Canada's centennial year. It recognizes "a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation." More than 5,000 people from across Canada have been invested into the Order since its inception.

The 2010 recipients will be honored at a ceremony where they will receive their insignias. The date is yet to be announced.

Among the noteworthy names in the list are hockey player Trevor Linden ("Captain Canuck") and Chef Jamie Kennedy.

Canada Day flag on Vancouver Island
Photo by Sue Frause

Oilers Octane debut as first Canadian NHL cheer team

The Edmonton Oilers launched the first-ever Canadian NHL cheer team. Known as Oilers Octane, they made their debut at the Dec. 14 match-up with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The squad is made up of 19 women, ages 18-29. More than 100 dancers auditioned for the coveted spots.

Octane will perform at Edmonton's Rexall Place, helping with promotions and interacting with fans during the team's home games. They will also participate in charity fund raising and other special events throughout Oil Country. Described by the Edmonton Oilers as ambassadors for both the hockey club and the city of Edmonton, an Octane calendar is in the works. The 2011 edition will be for sale at home games and in Oiler Stores at the end of December.

Read more about the cheer team's debut here.

I've only been to two hockey games in Canada. One was on a New Year's Eve more than a decade ago, when the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Anaheim Ducks. The other was a junior ice hockey game in Kelowna, when the Rockets played the Everett Silvertips. There were no cheerleaders, just the loyal fans in the stands.

Blame the USA. They started the tradition of having hockey cheer squads, and the cheer squads today include the LA Kings Ice Crew, Dallas Stars Ice Girls, New York Islanders Ice Girls, Nashville Predators Ice Girls, Florida Panthers Ice Dancers and the Carolina Hurricanes Storm Squad.

Canada has six NHL hockey teams (the US 24): Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens.

So how did the cheering go on Tuesday night? The Oilers lost to the Maple Leafs, 4-1. Read more about the game in the Edmonton Journal.

Photo by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club