Happy 2007 (well not quite
yet, but soon!). With all of the excitement that the holiday
season presents, I think it may be suitable to let you know
of a special anniversary happening this January. Drum roll please.it
is officially been a year since the launch of Story Starters!
I know, gasps aside, time really does fly by. You may have
noticed
that this issue has presented itself quite differently in your
email than previous issues, so you might guess my next question
- do you like the new format? We have tried out a new way to
send Story Starters to you that tells me a little bit about
which Stories I should elaborate on and which ones are really
not what
you might be looking for. That being said, I am not certain
if this new format is as user friendly for those tough to access
Internet connections when you may be in Siberia chipping ice
off of you laptop. So, if you have a few minutes to spare,
between
writing your stories, making deadlines, getting those last
minute Christmas gifts for your crazy Aunt Susan, not to mention
fitting
in some quality time with your friends and family, please shoot
me a note and let me know your thoughts on the format!
Without
further ado, here is Story Starters January 2007:
There once was a time when
a mere Band-aid (preferably one with cute designs and fun colours!)
could heal any wound or ‘owie’, no matter how terrible.
Unfortunately for us (and maybe a bit for Band-aid), as we
get older, healing becomes a little more complicated. That
is - until
now! Explore every avenue for healing in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains,
without one stop at the hospital or pharmacy. Begin exploring
the Jade Trail in and around Lillooet, following the historical
trail map to discover the beauty of the original Jade Park.
According to crystal healers and New Age believers, crystal
and gem healing
is an art and practice, done on a metaphysical level, and Jade
encourages practicality, wisdom, mental peace and tolerance
of others. Jade may also rejuvenate during periods of stress,
reduce
fears, banish negative thoughts and increase a person’s
capacity for giving and receiving love. Not a bad reason to
follow this map! On your road to healing, you may wish to schedule
a
stop at Harrison Hot Springs, a community founded on the healing
waters of the springs. First discovered by miners on the search
for gold, the Coast Salish peoples have long known about the
healing powers of the springs, and indulged in the gentle soaking
of the water. Of course, you cannot claim to be hot on the
heels of wellness discovery without exploring Ginseng or traditional
Chinese teas and healing herbs (always a mystery but definitely
seems to cure any ailment!). Vancouver’s Chinatown has
a plethora of shops to be found in tucked away corners, offering
a range of everything from shark fin to dried scallops, Red
Ginseng to Salangane nests (a tasty soup ingredient). And the
really
adventurous? Head to Lillooet and explore Ginseng right from
the source, at any of the local farms in the area. So,throw
those Band-aids away, and laugh at the thought of a ‘sick-day’,
after all, health is in your destiny after this trek!
See www.lillooetbc.com, www.harrisonhotspringshotel.com,
and www.vancouverchinatown.ca for
details.
No, we are not talking about a love
of all things Canadian (although how could you not?), we
are talking about the Vancouver
Canucks – our hometown
hockey team, famous for their penalty kills (courtesy of Mattius Ohlund and
of course “Captain Canuck”, our beloved Trevor Linden, who has
played with the Vancouver Canucks intermittently for 14 years, as well as playing
in over 1000 NHL games during his career). Now you can get up close and personal
with these hockey legends and experience the true Canadian sport, with Canucks
Hockey packages at the Comfort Inn Downtown. Packages include a room, parking,
continental breakfast and of course tickets to a game of your choice! All you
need is a little face paint and a huge Canucks flag and you may call yourself
an honorary Vancouverite. Visit www.comfortinndowntown.com for
more information.
Picture an unkempt, vacant 2 storey
character house just off the beaten path in the heart of
downtown Powell River
on the Sunshine Coast.I know, if you
are anything like me, images of haunted houses or run down shacks fill your
head. But wait … now picture this house transformed into a licensed restaurant
by a trio of artists and musicians, using recycled and donated materials and
equipment. Suddenly the vision gets a little more eclectic, don’t you
think? Now add a beautifully landscaped, organic garden seating area, complete
with a boulder-lined creek that spills out from the foundation of a nearby
building and terminates alongside the restaurant in a fish-laden pond. You
have now been introduced to Local Locos, the perfect setting for a little art
and a lot of scrumptious eats (everything from vegan to special maté tea).
And the best part? Nothing on the regular menu is over $9.95, which leaves
you and your wallet bursting at the seams! Visit www.locallocos.com for
details.
Sure everyone has at one time experienced
a back country tour – between
skies, snowshoes, snowmobile or ATV’s, there is always something for
everyone. But, there is one method of touring that can truly be called original – located
right in Whistler and getting ready for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games. Barely Legal Motorsports has a name that is as racy as their unique
hotrods, custom built and environmentally friendly (the cars were built to
have an engine that would run on injected hydrogen, yet with new changes to
the filling station, all new cars will be fuelled by natural gas) to ensure
you visit Whistler’s backcountry in the coolest way possible. Operating
year round, you can choose one of several street legal hot rod tours customized
to suit the gentlest of riders to the proverbial adrenaline junky! See www.blhotrod.com for
information.
You were born with a terrible in
infliction … you absolutely love eating
but lack the culinary prowess to prepare the masterpieces that your tastes
desire. Never fear, The Silver Door Bed & Breakfast is your answer to not
only a great meal, but also a terrific sleep. This 4½ star luxury accommodation
in the Village of Anmore offers culinary classes alongside their retreat-like
atmosphere. Reesa Devlin combines Greek and Italian cooking along with her
Jewish heritage, all which contributes to a mélange of flavours in every
dish –definitely a perk to your love of food. Not only do you get to
eat, but let your inner Martha Stewart shine forth … Reesa also teaches
you table setting ideas, simple recipes, and plenty of tips to impress your
guests. So lay back, relax in your contemporary room, enjoy a swim in the pool
and most of all, savour that scrumptious meal that you just created! See www.thesilverdoor.ca for
details.
