The lights, the colours, the rapid movement… I just can’t help but get swept up in silly reality shows – and my latest favourite is none other than “Dancing with the Stars”. Who can’t help but become mesmerized by these quasi-celebrities shaking their bonbons across the dance floor each week, and I hate to say it, but they look darned good! It has got me thinking that I might be able to dance like a star too, so I decided to find a place to try out some moves. And you know what I discovered? There are tons of places to dance in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. From delightful waltzing at the Copper Room (with the Jones Boys) at Harrison Hot Springs Resort, to the fantastic ‘Jazz on the Rocks Festival’ on Texada Island (getting your groove on surrounded by limestone!), to the obvious dance crazed clubs in Vancouver (featuring salsa, West Coast Swing, line-dancing, belly dancing, two-stepping, and everything in between!) – there is an abundance of places to practice. Ironically, finding all these great dancing places was quite distressing (as I hoped that a lack of dance floors would be my excuse for my two left feet) – but now I have a new mission in mind – to find myself a celebrity to dance with! Once completed, that will surely leave me the hit of the dance floor at the next wedding I attend (lookout Ginger Rogers!). Perhaps I shouldn’t give up writing the Story Starters just yet… so speaking of, enjoy this next issue!

WHAT NOT TO WEAR
Maybe you have had your fair share of fashion blunders in your day – pairing up black stockings with white heels, or running out the door in sweatpants, sandals and socks for some last minute grocery items – we all have our moments. But imagine documenting them for generations to come? Sure there are shows like TLC’s “What Not to Wear” designed to humiliate the unfashion-forwards and get them on track, but usually the 15 minutes of fame wears off as millions of viewers are introduced to the next victim (unless you find yourself on the rerun circuit!). But for a special peek at the ultimate disasters in fashion, try a visit to the Burnaby Village Museum. Where most museum exhibits concentrate on the elaborate, beautiful or expensive clothing of our history, the latest exhibit “I Can’t Believe She Wore that Dress!” highlights some of the great fashion faux pas of the 20th century. Where is Stacy London when we need her? For information check out www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.

THE SUNSHINE COAST CAPTURES INDONESIA
They are often the topic around a lively dinner table – our horrifying airplane stories. From lost luggage, to delayed flights, to the unbearable 8 hours spent wedged beside someone sniffling, coughing and moaning as they fight off a winter cold – the stories are always good for a laugh later, but terribly unpleasant at the time. Yet, sometimes it is so hard to fight off the urge to travel, experience foreign cultures, and escape ordinary life for a while. So, when you get the burning desire for a little taste of Indonesia, don’t fret about endless hours on an airplane, instead try a visit to Secret Beach B&B on the Sunshine Coast. This little Indonesian resort is nestled in an acre of grass and gardens, and it wouldn’t be Indonesian without a Buddha garden for meditation. Palm trees, banana plants, bamboo and tropical grasses surround you in this little Indonesian haven – minus the long flight! Visit www.secretbeachbandb.com for more information.

ZIPPITY DO DA
Been to Whistler lately? You can’t possibly visit the Village these days without catching glimpses of the latest in adrenaline adventure – the zip line. You may have even taken the plunge with the popular Zip Trek Ecotours, but did you know that there is another zip line in town? Tucked away into the towering trees dotting the Coast Mountains, lies a zip line system that is at the forefront of zip line technology, with a magnetic braking system (yup – just like a roller coaster!), geodesic towers, and one of the fastest lines in the world, reaching speeds of 100 km/hr. Cougar Mountain’s SkyLine is the name, and it is definitely an adventure to check out during your stop in Whistler, especially if you are an adrenaline junkie. Besides, how often can you say you actually rode Godzilla? See www.cougarmountain.ca for details.

BETTER THAN WINE!
Delicious, golden and sweet… nothing says the onset of summer like honey - it is practically sunshine in a glass! Although, a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc might also give honey a run for its money as well (hmm… tough choice) so why choose? If you have never heard of mead, it is one of the latest innovations embracing the culinary world today, although its origins are ancient! Known as honey wine, mead is delightful and can be found perfected at Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm, Country Store & Meadery in Abbotsford. Hit the sweet spot at Campbell’s Gold and discover all things honey-related, like Honey Citrus Salt Scrub and Honey Mango Body Lotion, and my personal favourite– Grand Marnier honey! Visit www.bchoney.com for information.

OUR HOME AND NATIVE LAND
It is usually felt during the Stanley Cup playoffs, when your home team is in the final minutes of the final game, and you are ahead by two points. It doesn’t matter if you are in the middle of the stands at the hockey arena, surrounded by pals at the local watering hole, or sitting with your family in the living room at home – the emotions that run through you in those final moments can only be described as pride and patriotism. Feels good, doesn’t it? But here is a secret learned from our American neighbours – we can actually feel patriotism at other times of the year, apart from watching a record breaking hockey game. And the best time to celebrate it? Canada Day! This year Canada Day is extra special, with the largest party west of Ottawa at Canada Place in Vancouver. Over 80,000 guests are expected to celebrate together, enjoying high energy Canadian music, family entertainment, and interactive events. And the best part? Admission is free! See www.canadaday.canadaplace.ca for information.

TEE TIME
It’s a perfect June morning. The sky is cloudless and blue, the birds are singing, and from your position on the eighth hole you can see the sun slowly rising over the golf course. Yet, as much as you enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass and the clinking sound of silver irons (and we know you do!), the best part of today is knowing you’re here to help others. You’re participating in the Bowen Island Arts Council’s “Swing for CHAC,” a full-day event on June 23, 2007. The Golf Tournament & Gala Dinner is focused on bringing to life the Bowen Island community’s dream of building a Community Hall and Arts Centre. Begin the day with continental breakfast and 9 holes of golf at Bowen Island’s critically acclaimed Golf Course. Next, the real fun begins during the dinner and auction at Doc Morgan’s Pub and Restaurant. Oh, the lengths you’ll go to in order to help others! For information about this “fun-raising” event contact www.biac.ca/biac_golf.php or to learn more about Bowen Island’s Golf Course contact www.bowengolf.com.