604 Pulse

If you're wondering why I haven't been posting much on here anymore, it's because as of last month I've been busy at work compiling, curating, producing, and ultimately publishing a new blog for one of our clients, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains tourism region.

Just a recap, but Vancouver Coast & Mountains (VCM) is a massive region spanning all of Vancouver, the whole Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley and the Fraser Canyon, the Sea to Sky corridor - including the entire Duffy Lake Road area - and the Sunshine Coast.

The blog is called 604 Pulse:

The idea is to get people (i.e.: you!) inspired to explore the region - not just our own neighbourhood - but to get out and visit places that are often within an hour or two drive away.

Yes, I guess it's true. I have my dream job!

Monday I post "Weekday Activities" - cool things you can do during the week.

Tuesdays I post "Family Activities" - family-friendly activities you can experience.

Wednesdays are the "Outdoor Activities" post where I detail outdoor excursions that often revolve around hiking, bird-watching, winter sports, or simply window shopping.

Thursdays revolve around "Indoor Activities" - museums, galleries, restaurants, markets, and other places with a roof over top.

Fridays are fun with "Hidden Secrets" - highlighting the lesser known gems that maybe the locals know, but the general populace does not.

The idea is, I'm scouring the internet to find what other people are saying about these places, these experiences. I'm not writing why *I* think it's cool - I'm finding why fellow bloggers like it, and I'm passing it along.

Needless to say, check it out: www.604pulse.com

Follow me on Twitter and humour me: @604pulse.

And please, please, please... if you have suggestions for content, let me know. Feedback's greatly appreciated. :)

Granville Street

Cherry blossoms

Japanese plum blossoms outside my parent's house

Right now - this very week, even - is my favourite time of the year.

I blame it on the cherry blossoms.

There's something, almost like a pheromone, that gets released into the air when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and it speaks to me at some sort of primal level, and all I want to do is go outside and bask in the gorgeousness of spring flowers.

Perhaps it's also the Daylight Savings Time taking into effect - it's 6:15pm right now and yet the sky's light and it feels like sunset's hours away - a feeling that screams summer's coming right up and the winter of a few weeks ago is a long forgotten memory.

On Thursday I entered a Twitter contest being held by the City of Vancouver in promotion of the upcoming Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, and found out a few hours that I had won the prize: a book called Ornamental Cherries in Vancouver.

The book features all the species of ornamental cherry tree in Vancouver - its history, how to recognize it, etc. I picked it up from City Hall on Friday afternoon and as geeky as it is, I'm proud to have it in my ever-growing collection of Vancouver books.

My Unusual Night at the Planetarium

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre aka: the Planetarium

When I was invited to attend Awakening the Universe Within at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre last month, I knew that it wasn't going to be your typical night at the Planetarium - a venue perhaps better known for its Pink Floyd lazer shows.

But I've always been a fan of Vancouver's MacMillan Space Centre and astronomy in general. Despite pursuing an arts degree, my highest marks were always in UBC's astronomy classes. One of my most memorable vacations was at the Observatory B&B in Osoyoos, and I probably own more Carl Sagan books than I care to admit. Sure, I might not have known what it meant to "awaken the universe within", but I was open-minded and was more than willing to find out.

The first sign that I was in for something different was when I read the following introduction on the official event website:

Calling all healers, conscious energy workers, yogi’s, holistic health care practitioners and everyone on the path of higher consciousness.

Having only tried yoga for the first time a few months prior, this was definitely new territory for yours truly. But it was also new to everyone else. You see, this event would be the world's first star activation DJ event. The event would be showcasing Sacred Geometric Patterns (called "Star Activations") created by artist and healer Baljit Rayat, accompanied by music and sound by Soundscape Producer Derrick Bauman.


Needless to say, I still had absolutely no idea what to expect. Would this be a concert? Would this be therapy? Some of my more cynical friends snickered at me for agreeing to go at all, but I was sincerely curious. All I knew was that I would be led through Baljit's Star Activation Healing Method which will be accompanied by Derrick's enchanted, ambient soundscapes - soundscapes of singing bowls, tuning forks, electronic instruments and planetary recordings. 


I then thought, would it be weird going alone? Would I know anybody there? Would I stick out like a sore thumb? Would it be obvious I wasn't one of them? In my wildest imagination I had envisioned a Shambhala trance-like techno party taking place under a dome of stars while wild psychedelic images pulsated in time above.

I couldn't have been more off.

The audience gets settled in their seats before the show.

When the lights dimmed, both Baljit Rayat and Derrick Bauman were introduced.
Baljit started off with an interesting anecdote. She said that she used to work at an architectural firm and one day found herself playing with the AutoCAD software inexplicably creating unique shapes and patterns. A colleague who had been observing asked what she was doing, and Baljit simply responded, "I don't know". She didn't know what motivated her to create these images, but she could sense their energy and continued creating what she would later learn to be Sacred Geometry, or Star Activations.

Baljit Rayat and Derrick Bauman

Baljit describes Star Activations to be "similar to those that you would see in crop circles, but instead of having to be in a plane over corn fields to feel the energy of those designs, Iʼve created my own system of sharing sacred geometry shapes for the purpose of healing on an energetic or physiological level.”

She explains the concept in more depth on her website:

"Sacred Geometry are Universal patterns of geometric shapes that carry a high vibration. They are a make up of our DNA strands and our Reality.  I discovered through communicating with my higher dimensional guides that the sacred geometry that I have been channeling are called “Star Activations”. The “Star” comes from the Sacred Geometry acting as a STARgate channel that sends a Powerful vortex of Light Energy connecting to the Universal and Cosmic Truth to Your “I AM” vibration. This assists in removing karma, old programming that is no longer serving your Soul’s Mission, and fear based emotions healing on all levels of your bodies balancing the Divine Masculine energy and the Divine Feminine energy within YOU."

Don't worry if that makes little sense. What I took away from the night was that she uses her Star Activations and healing powers to help us fulfill our goals as creative individuals.

Derrick, a local audio producer, then explained that this was the first time his soundscapes would be set to Baljit's Star Activations. He intuitively created soundscapes that suited the distinctiveness of each Star Activation. Sure, we were guinea pigs for the night, so to speak, but we were ready to experience it. The lights and stars dimmed, and the first Star Activation faded into existence.

The first star activation of the night.

The entire room was quiet and an ambient bell - a Himalayan Bowl - started to resonate in the background.

The Star Activation rotated counterclockwise ever so slightly and there were subtle animations running up and down the strands like electrons following an orbit. It was incredibly soothing to look at, almost hypnotic.

I remember thinking, "How did she make that?" which led to me thinking, "I shouldn't be thinking about this right now". At least I wasn't snoring, like the man behind me! But I couldn't really fault him - it was all very comforting and relaxing.

Each Star Activation was on the screen for several minutes - some looking simplistic, some looking tribal, others organic and cell-like, and others completely alien. Some were incredibly complex and I found myself transfixed by the whole experience.

The soundscapes were indeed that - ambient sounds - each suited the Star Activation perfectly. I remember at one point of the night being reminded of Johnny Greenwood's Bodysong. Nevertheless, I loved what I was hearing and the mood that it was creating.

Baljit's voice - confident yet soothing - announced the name and purpose of the Star Activation and called upon universal energies, her voice almost chanting at times. It was my first experience with such a healer. It was quite powerful to experience

Thankfully this wasn't at all like I had been anticipating - a techno party. No, this was more like a group-led meditation session, and it was exactly what I needed. The session went through at least 20 different Star Activations and continued for an hour and a half until 8:30pm.

When the lights came back up, it was as if the entire crowd awoke from a giant slumber, smiling and feeling rejuvenated. A woman a row over to my right whispered to her friend, "Did you sleep at all?" Her friend responded, "No, I wanted to watch the entire thing".

She wasn't alone.

The end of a beautiful night at the Planetarium

Free Fred Herzog photography exhibits at the Equinox Gallery

Coal Harbour circa 1959 - photo by Fred Herzog

It's hard to believe that's what Coal Harbour looked like in 1959.

It almost looks fake, but it's not. I mean, heck! Did Georgia Street really look like Kingsway back then?

The photo is Fred Herzog's. It's one of the many Herzog photos featured at the Equinox Gallery on South Granville. Herzog's work is featured in two exhibits at the gallery: Reading Pictures and Early Colour Photographs - the latter of which features Vancouver.

Granville Street circa 1959 - photo by Fred Herzog

But the photos capture why I love Fred Herzog. He candidly captured Vancouver's past in colour when the rest of the world was shooting black and white. He brings to life lost eras of Vancouver's past and makes me nostalgic for a time I never knew. There's no such thing as a time machine, but this is the next closest thing.

I figure I'd throw this shout out to the Equinox because it's one of the many private galleries open to the public on South Granville. It's completely free to view the galleries. While the Equinox often features Fred Herzog's photography, these two exhibits end next weekend on March 5th, so if you're looking for something to do this weekend and you're even remotely interested in Vancouver history, put the Equinox Gallery on your agenda.

Love letter to Commercial Drive

Commercial Drive has always been one of my favourite Vancouver neighbourhoods, if not because of its distinct demographic diversity and its vibrant spirit culturally. I mean, it always feels more like Montreal than Vancouver. Being one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver with several significant waves of immigration will do that, I suppose. But I just like being there.



My love for the Drive started early. I have memories of being a kid and early teen, wandering up and down Commercial with my parents. We used to come here on Sunday afternoons just to meander around without aim. My dad loved dragging us into the Italian grocery stores and delis just to look at the different Italian ingredients. My mom, sister and I would then drag him into Beckwoman's and other "hippy stores" (as we called them). I'd often end up with a silver ring to add to my bohemian jewellery collection. Hey, it was 1994. That was back when Magpie Magazines was a key fixture, back when bocce-playing Italian men outnumbered the hipsters. Oh, who am I kidding.



I remember though, eating a pasta lunch with my family at this Italian restaurant in the early 90's - whatever it was called - in the space that became the WaaZuBee Cafe. I always wondered what restaurant that was, but it was my sister who figured it out last September when we were sitting down at WaaZuBee, and she pointed out an old Italian landscape painted onto the wall that was partially painted over. The painting was a relic from that Italian restaurant. It's not every day you can use the word palimpsest in its right context, but...

I probably only visited the WaaZuBee Cafe a handful of times in my life. First time was in 2000 or so, with a group of friends during the Parade of Lost Souls. I distinctly remember somebody dressed as a tree - head full of (real) branches and all - having a drink at the bar. I think I returned in 2007 to catch up with a long lost friend, but I hadn't returned again until this past September. When I arrived, I was surprised at how miserable the space had become. I remember it being a sort of hip alternative cocktail bar and late night eats joint. This time, it was tired, just begging for a Restaurant Makeover. Worse yet, it was a Friday night and it was dead. It's therefore no surprise that the WaaZuBee Cafe closed its doors soon after.

But another thing about the WaaZuBee Cafe was that their sister restaurant, Subeez, used to be my go-to brunch place and late night food haunt when I lived in Yaletown. And just the other week, I went to Cafe Deux Soleils for the first time. (I know!) And perhaps not coincidentally, but Cafe Deux Soleils reminded me a lot of Subeez. I don't quite know what I thought it would be - perhaps a perpetual reggae joint? Something more akin to the Naam? I'm not sure. But the bad art, the cavernous space, the ad hoc tables, and the electronic music blaring at 8am? It was like being back at Subeez, but on the Drive. So I guess it's timely.



Well these days when I visit the Drive, it's not because I'm there to aimlessly meander, it's because I'm visiting people, seeking an Americano & muffin, dinner ingredients, or brunch.

Favourite brunch is Bandidas Taqueria, up by 12th. You're lucky enough if you get a table on weekends without having to wait for 20 minutes. But the wait is, I think, worth it. The food's all vegetarian, sustainable, and damn tasty. 

That there above was my brunch... the Ronny Russell baked burrito, with roasted yams and onions, fresh guacamole, black beans, green salsa, purple cabbage and pumpkin seeds. That's the first time I had one of their baked burritos, and according to the server, that's the most popular item on their menu. I can understand why.

Usually, however, I'll order something off their actual brunch menu, like the Alan's Breakfast. It's like huevos rancheros in a salad:

In the Americano & muffin department, Prado has sort of won out, if not simply because of their cranberry, sweet ginger, and oatmeal muffins. I used to be sceptical of the place at first, deeming it too pretentious with its contrived minimalism. "Ohhh, let's all hangout in a BLANK CANVAS and look cool."



The reality is, the space works. It works a hell of a lot better than its previous occupant - a questionable Greek restaurant where the windows were steamed up and covered in plants.





The muffins are great at Prado. The Americanos are fine by me, but better yet, it's the people. The people are real, the staff are sweet, and the place works together to function as a community hub. It's just a friendly place to be, as far as coffee shops go. I used to be sceptical, but now I'm a fan. I mean, hey! People actually smile at one another there!

And I guess that's why I like Commercial Drive, why I like being there. It functions as a community hub - as a friendly place - a real, natural community that thrives and continues to thrive there in the face of soaring real estate and low wages and condo tower development. In a city where communities are often planned and fabricated to be marketed to a particular lifestyle, Commercial Drive is real, warts and all, and I like it for that.

Wine Tasting at Marquis Wine Cellars

I just came back from the a wine tasting at Marquis Wine Cellars.

"Marquis Wine Cellars?"

You know, that wine shop on Davie Street at Burrard, next to Celebrities.


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Yup, you know the one.

Well, they threw the invite out on Twitter about a week ago (maybe longer - I only noticed it last week), advertising a blogger event.

"I'm a blogger!" I earnestly thought. So I RSVP'ed, and voila! I'm on the guest list for a social media wine tasting event amongst the city's foodies, sommeliers, bloggers, and Twitter hounds. Wine served by Marquis, cheese served by Benton Brothers Fine Cheeses, and scrumptious morsels of heavenly delight by Louis Gervais Fine Foods and Catering.

What a fine evening! Got to see a lot of familiar Twitter/Blogger faces, in addition to putting some faces to names (and real names to Twitter handles) - ha!

But the best part, of course, was the opportunity to taste an assortment of fine wines from around the world (Australia, Italy, Spain, and France, to name a few), high end artisan cheeses - both local and global, and an assortment of gourmet bite-sized treats (proscutto-wrapped prawns? Hi!) Needless to say, it was my kind of evening!

The event itself was held in Marquis' back room (as opposed to the store front where customers were shopping as we tasted the treats in the back). The room itself was rather small considering the large turnout. As a result, I found it rather hazardous to carry a wine glass and a plate of food in one hand while also snapping photos in another, and, if inclined, taking down notes. The reality was that it was either one or another. I chose, for the most part, to eat and drink.

Strangely, however, I managed to juggle my camera in such a way that I was able to snap a few shots. How they actually turned out the way they did? I don't know. Nevertheless, it'll give you a taste of my lovely Wednesday evening:

An assortment of cheese - all delicious!

Although this Stilton (from the oldest Stilton farm in England) was amazing!

The P'tit Basque was a lovely firm sheep's milk cheese, nutty like Manchego

Everyone loved this Pinos Gris

I was rather taken by this Barossa shiraz known as Spinifex - Bete Noir

And this? This was a scrumptious roast beef & Yorkshire pudding treat

This was my favourite of the night - a Sauvignon Blanc-ish wine of the Loire. Very smoky with distinct mineral flavours.  

Beautiful, huh? Believe it or not, these were beets!

But perhaps my most unexpected discovery was Marquis' curtain. It's covered with adorable Vancouver cliches... with wine!!! (I love this!)

Even the orca spouts wine!

The Benton Brothers are real people! Thank you Andrew and Jonah for the cheese!

And Kevin McKinnon, the manager of Marquis, humoured me throughout the night whenever I requested more wine (and when I took his photo). Thank you!

So cheers to Marquis Wine Cellars, Benton Brothers Fine Cheese, and Louis Gervais Fine Foods and Catering for your generosity and for hosting such a fantastic night for all of us!