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Plan Ahead: 11 Best Kitsilano Summer Events

kitsbeach

Kitsilano Beach

Kitsilano dwellers will tell you how they love to watch the waters of English Bay change colour in wintertime. Despite our enthusiasm for all things Kitsilano all year round, there’s no doubt that our beachfront neighbourhood, called Vancouver’s Venice Beach, truly shines in summer.

Summer in Kitsilano brings a multitude of outdoor festivals and events. Here’s a list of the best summer events to help you plan ahead for the fun. From free street parties with live music and food trucks, to classic Shakespeare with a view of the North Shore mountains, the line-up is as stunning as Kitsilano’s scenery. Read more ›

West 4th Avenue BIA Celebrates the End of Construction with a Shopping Party May 25

shopping party

I had a chat with Russ Davies, CEO of the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Improvement Association and got the scoop on the end of construction on West 4th. They’re done early, folks. And West 4th Avenue plans to celebrate. Join the merchants at the West 4th Shopping Party May 25 from 11am to 4pm. Details below in an article I wrote about it for the Westender.

West 4th roadwork ends ahead of schedule; shopping party to celebrate

By Taraneh Ghajar Jerven – WE Vancouver
Published: May 17, 2013 4:00 PM
Updated: May 17, 2013 5:17 PM

Large-scale city infrastructure projects are often associated with disruption and delays. The West 4th Avenue sewer upgrade, however, which is the biggest city infrastructure project in 2013, bucked the trend by finishing early.

In addition to sewers, West 4th’s retail and restaurant strip between Burrard and Balsam will sparkle in time for summer with repaved roads, new curbs and sidewalks, as well as wide wheelchair ramps sure to please the neighbourhood’s ample stock of parents with strollers. Read more ›

Learn How to Cultivate Kitsilano Community through Gardening at a Free Workshop May 25

VancouverSunPhoto

There are 500 Green Streets gardens allocated to volunteer gardeners and 250 still available. What are Green Street gardens? Green Streets gardens are planted by volunteers in busy areas including traffic circles and corner bulges. Why would you want one? You like gardening. You think your neighbourhood has an eyesore in need of beautification. The City pays for the initial planting.

How do you get a Green Streets location in Kitsilano? Watch for the signs – yellow is taken; green is available.

If you see a sign on a garden near you saying it’s available, don’t hesitate. Green Streets coordinator, Sara Orchard, tells me that plots in Kits get snapped up quickly. There’s only one available right now, and I won’t even tell you where because she’s had people express interest. Of course,  you can always offer to help a volunteer gardener – that’s how I met Kim Peterson, a neighbour only 3 blocks away.

Read more ›

Kitsilano Pool Opens for Summer Saturday, May 18

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Whether or not the forecast cooperates, Kitsilano Pool opens this weekend on Saturday, May 18. After months of gulls doing laps in goopy green waters, the beachfront beauty is back to top summer form. So perhaps it’s time to look at season pass rates and trade in rain boots for flip flops.

“Kits Pool” is the longest pool in Canada. It’s the only salt-water pool in Vancouver. For those who are visiting Kits, it’s located along the beach at Cornwall and Vine. There’s a cafe and a waterslide. Thanks to the pristine waters and jumbo-sized tanning chairs, the pool often boasts more visitors than the nearby beach. There’s also a kids’ area with a water fountain.

Kitsilano Pool, 2305 Cornwall Ave, 604-731-0011

The City of Vancouver Wants Your Input on the Point Grey Road – Cornwall Avenue Corridor

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The proposed Point Grey Road – Cornwall Avenue Corridor Project will link downtown Vancouver to Kitsilano and Point Grey providing a safe and convenient connection between the Burrard Bridge and Jericho Beach for pedestrians and cyclists. Read more ›

Free Khatsahlano! Festival Launch Party At Zulu Records Tonight, May 15

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What are you doing tonight? Do this instead. The Khatsahlano! Music & Arts Festival Launch Party is free and there’s going to be awesome live music. Head over to Zulu Records (1972 West 4th) on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30pm for the Khatsahlano! Launch Party featuring the hot, hot announcement of the 2013 line-up. You’ll also get see/hear special performances by Village and Gal Gracen.

So go. Then tell us what you think about the 2013 Khatsahlano! line-up.

Here’s a reminder of the good times at the 2012 festival:

A Busy Kitsilano Summer is Almost Here

Crowds flocked to the Kitsilano Farmers Market on opening day yesterday. The Kits pool opens this Saturday, May 18.

Two telltale signs that summer is around the corner in Vancouver.

With the warmer weather and an increase in outdoor activity across the city, comes a spike in this site’s traffic as everyone searches for more information on their favorite local summer past-time.  Whether it is Bard on the Beach, Honda’s Celebration of Light, the Kitsilano Showboat, or the Khatsahlano! Music Festival, Kitsilano.ca is a favorite destination to learn more about these events. Read more ›

Car-Jackings Come To Kitsilano During An Hour-Long Crime Spree Last Night

CarsSmashedA 25-year-old man is in custody after crashing his vehicle into several parked cars and then allegedly attempting three car-jackings and a bike-jacking over the course of an hour in Kits last night.

Police got several calls starting at 9:40pm about a man running off after driving into five parked cars along West 1st near Arbutus Street. Read more ›

Trader Joe’s Files Lawsuit Against Pirate Joe’s in Kitsilano

IMG_20121201_104617Pirate Joe’s (2348 West 4th) is sailing into dangerous waters. The Kitsilano depot where shoppers delight in finding their favourite Trader Joe’s products has just been sued by the American grocery chain. Trader Joe’s filed suit in Seattle on May 1.

Pirate Joe’s responded by taking the “P” down from their sign. You may have noticed that Pirate Joe’s became Irate Joe’s this week. It made me chuckle. I don’t know about you…

Owner Mike Hallatt told the Province that he will fight the lawsuit saying: “Everyone gets what we’re doing. We’re earnestly supplying a good product at fair prices. Pirate Joe’s, as cheeky as it is, isn’t misrepresenting Trader Joe’s. Their name is right on the product. My right to resell their product is stronger than their right to protect their brand.” Read more about how Hallatt imports goods here.

Trader Joe’s lawyer claims that Hallatt’s resale at “significantly higher prices” creates a risk that customers will believe Trader Joe’s charges higher prices.

The action sues for “deceptive” use of its trademarks and seeks a “permanent court injunction” against Hallatt, damages and an accounting of his profits.

Photo: Mike Hallatt and Barry Hogan.
Photo credit: T. Jerven

Have you shopped at Pirate Joe’s? What’s your ideal outcome?

5 Easy Mother’s Day Treats for New Mums in Kits

Mug from DAVIDsTEAWhite Peacock Mug – Photo credit: DAVIDsTEA

This Mother’s Day will be my first as a new mum. Although my little one would rather eat the crayons instead of drawing a nice card with them, and her version of a “treat” will be a poopy diaper at home instead of at the grocery store, I just know she will be wishing me a happy day with that toothy smile of hers. Here are a few proper, easy treat ideas for new mothers that I know many of you will appreciate as much as I will.

5 Easy Mother’s Day Treats for New Mums in Kits

1) Bakery Goodies
The cupcakes, chocolate mousse, and petits fours from Whole Foods are all delectable choices. Replenish some of that lost energy while indulging in your favourite desserts. Add a few cucumber sandwiches, fresh scones with jam & Devonshire cream, and a pot of Earl Grey and you’ve got a menu worthy of afternoon tea.
Whole Foods Market, 2285 West 4th Avenue, (604) 739-6676, Wholefoodsmarket.com

2) Order In
As a night out may not be practical, consider getting some takeout from Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company. Healthy menu choices that will please the whole family include organic whole wheat or gluten-free pizzas & pastas, fresh seasonal salads, and kid-friendly options.
Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company, 1876 West 1st Avenue, (604) 730-0321, Rockymountainflatbread.ca

3) Mug and Tea for Me
With pretty designs to choose from, the ceramic mugs ($19.50) from DavidsTea come with a handy infuser and lid. Pair it up with a couple of loose leaf tea selections and be sure to get some time to enjoy your beverage, perhaps with an entertaining magazine (I’d suggest a good book but as if there’s time for that!).
DavidsTea, 2230 West 4th Avenue, (604) 734-3440, Davidstea.com Read more ›

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