Archive for September, 2010
Win An Elite BBQ – Coleman Heating Featured At The Vancouver Home Show
As a child, annual camping trips to Hornby Island were a staple in my family. Over the years, we learned that a few items were essential – tarps in particular after getting caught in a downpour on our first outing. As time passed, we became pretty camp-savvy, picking up everything from durable tents to propane stoves and even nighttime lamps with which to play board games alongside of.
Camping is only one rite of passage when you grow up in British Columbia. If there’s one thing we do really well in BC it’s BBQing. Rain or shine, winter or summer, we find a way to do it. From burgers and kebobs to steaks and hot dogs – we grill it all. Cooking dinner in the great outdoors is somewhat of an art, whether you’re camping in the woods or grilling in your own backyard. One name that’s entirely synonymous with outdoor living is Coleman.
The 2010 Vancouver Home and Interior Design Show is getting set to “design, style and renovate your life” from September 9th through to the 12th at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Over 325 retailers will be sharing innovative ideas at the show, including locally based business Coleman Heating. Apart from being BC’s largest residential and commercial heating/cooling business, they’re also cool enough to be giving away a BBQ of epic proportions to one lucky winner.
The Coleman BackHome Select 8100 Gold Series BBQ is guaranteed to up the ante and take your searing style to a whole new level. This sophisticated grilling machine packs some serious punch with multiple burners, a side burner, utensil storage and so much more – and it’s worth $650!
You’ve got three chances to win the BBQ, and (1) visiting Coleman Heating at the Vancouver Home and Interior Design Show (find them at booth 1540) is a good way to start.
If you can’t make it to the show, there are a couple more ways to enter:
(2) Follow Coleman Heating on Twitter and then post the following:
(3) Become a fan of Coleman Heating on Facebook to be automatically entered.
The winner will be selected at random on the last day of the home show. If you live on Vancouver Island, don’t be shy – the fine folks at Coleman Heating will be more than happy to deliver the BBQ to you, should you win.
Good luck and happy grilling!
Labour Day Long Weekend
If you’re like me, you’re having a hard time grasping the fact that September is already upon us. West Coast summers have a knack for passing us by in the blink of an eye, but to be honest, I’m really ready for fall. It’s most definitely my favourite season of the year, so I’m ready to embrace cozy sweaters, knit scarves and toasty boots.
After an exhausting week at work, a long weekend is just what I need. My plans include brunch and a matinee with a good friend and (fingers-crossed) ample time in the sunshine at an off-leash park with Jordy. I may even throw a photo-walk into the mix if my laziness will permit.
Whatever you end up doing this weekend, stay safe and have fun! If you’re looking for something exciting to explore, re-visit my round-up of end-of-summer events on Vancouver Island. I’ll be back first thing on Tuesday morning with a special edition of Island Profile.
Talk to me: What are your plans for the Labour Day long weekend?
Island Express Air To Fly YYJ To YQQ
Growing up, making the trip from the Comox Valley to Victoria was a tedious three-hour or more journey. Though highway expansion has cut the time down a bit, sometimes driving still takes longer than time allows for. Train travel and express bus are options, but as of September 5, 2010, flying will get you down south in a snap.
Photo: Island Express Air
Island Express Air has been making the trip between Victoria and Nanaimo for close to a year, but travelers wishing to connect up to the Comox Valley would have to be re-routed through Abbotsford. With the launch of this route, a quick 10-minute stopover in Nanaimo will have you between Victoria and the Comox Valley in a mere 45 minutes for only $99.
Adding the route only makes sense as the Comox Valley airport serves the entirety of the North Island and has become a hub for Mexico-bound flights in recent years. This scenic trip will be available between Victoria and the Comox Valley six days a week, Wednesday being the exception. Visit Island Express Air’s online for more information and to lock in your reservation.
2. I’m once again fundraising for the BC-SPCA’s Paws For A Cause, aiming to raise $2,000 by September 12, 2010. As of today, I’ve already reached 25% of my goal and have little more than a week to go! Please consider donating to my effort and support this worthwhile cause.
Ticket Giveaway: Live At Squamish
In recent years, music festivals have seemingly and very quickly become a summer staple in British Columbia. The Live at Squamish festival is set to end this summer on a stellar note with two days of incredible music on three stages. The jam-packed roster includes new wave legends Devo, Tokyo Police Club, The Decemberists and the pride of Quadra Island, Mother Mother.
Photo: Nirazilla on Flickr
The fine folks at the JP Scion dealership are offering you, my readers, the chance to win a pair of passes, but you’ve got to act quick. I have two pairs of passes – valid for the entire weekend and valued at $300/pair – to give away to two lucky readers. You have two ways to enter:
- 1. Leave a comment below and tell me which artist you’d be most thrilled to see live – a full listing of all artists can be found here. (1 entry)
2. Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
This one-day contest ends at 8 p.m. tonight with the winners to be announced shortly thereafter. Please note that the winners will be required to pick up their passes directly from the JP Scion dealership in North Vancouver.