Posted by janelle | January 25th, 2012 | 4 Comments »
I love books. Not only do I like to read, I like the smell and feel of a book in my hands. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to get behind the Kindle.
Given the number of bookstores that have closed in the neighbourhood in the last few years, sometimes I feel the only one who still buys books from the store (or CDs).
To me, the only thing better than a new book is a used book – cheaper and better for the environment. As far as used bookstores go, you can’t beat Tanglewood Books. The selection, buy back policies and staff are excellent! I am very pleased that Kits has poached this store from South Granville. The store has taken over the old Frocks location at West Broadway and Yew. I really hope this is one Kitsilano bookstore that survives.
Do you use an eReader? Tell us why or why not.
Tanglewood Books, 2306 West Broadway (at Vine), 604-736-8876
Posted by janelle | January 24th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Xoxolat—pronounced sho-sho-la—is one of Vancouver’s finest chocolate shops, luckily located in Kits at 8th and Burrard (formerly Monde chocolate). They carry Vancouver’s largest selection of single origin chocolate bars from around the world and are offering a worthwhile deal on chocs and Choc 101 seminars just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Innovative flavours
A quick perusal of the house brand demonstrates the chocolatier’s creativity. Flavours are very quirky and fun: WestCoast Breakfast (maple caramelized bacon with touch of espresso in deep milk chocolate), Tortilla Chip & Lime in Dark Chocolate and Sour Cherry & Chili in Dark Chocolate. They also offer tastings and classes in store, teaching participants about the many facets of chocolate and offering samples of different beans, origins, manufacturers and percentages of cocoa.
Xoxolat’s Vancouver Deal of the Day
A few of my friends took part in the Chocolate 101 seminar and had an amazing time. If you are also interested in checking it out your timing could not be better: Vancouver’s “deal of the day” with Dealfind is $20 for a Chocolate 101 class and a 16 piece box of chocolates ($20 for a $45 value) now until Thursday.
For the deal, check out: Dealfind.com/vancouver/xoxolat
XOXOLAT, 2391 Burrard Street (at 8th Ave), 604.733.2462, XOXOLAT.com
Posted by Taraneh | January 23rd, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Happy Chinese New Year, Kits residents. We’re heading out of the rabbit hole and into the dragon’s den. As you probably know thanks to Vancouver’s strong Chinese-Canadian population, Chinese New Year which falls on January 23 this year, is the oldest and most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, and the festivities traditionally carry on for 15 days. In other words: the fun is just beginning.
Chinese New Year events in Vancouver
Vancouver has got a lot of lively Chinese New Year events coming up where you’ll get a chance to participate and hopefully see a lion dance or two (which I happen to be addicted to). I’ve listed a few fun family events in Chinatown. If you know of Kits-specific events, we’d like to hear from you.
1) Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade 2012, January 29, Free
The annual Chinatown Chinese New Year Parade (a barrage of thrilling eye candy) showcases the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada, the VPD Motorcycle Drill Team, marching bands and more—attracting 50,000 spectators each year. read more »
Posted by Anthony | January 23rd, 2012 | 3 Comments »
With our mild winters here in Vancouver, we don’t have the same winter riding conditions that others face. Last week was the exception as we got multiple hits of snow, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures. For many commuters, it was just the one week a year that cycling isn’t in the cards. For others, it was just a week that needed a different approach.
There are two things that a cyclist can control when it comes to riding in snow and ice: gear and riding technique.
read more »
Posted by janelle | January 20th, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Kitsilano residents classified as “blue zone” by the City currently have their garbage and recycling collected on Wednesdays. This Wednesday, however, several homes were missed in the collection.
If this is you, keep your bins out. We have spoken with the City and someone will be by to collect your recycling soon.
Posted by Taraneh | January 19th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Bibo restaurant, the real deal when it comes to finding Italian cuisine in Vancouver, has new budget-friendly lunch/dinner menus. The discounted menus are valid now until the end of February. Anyone else thinking about Valentine’s Day?
Get a 3-course lunch with a glass of wine for $25. Thats 35% off the normal rates. They’re also offering a prix fixe 3-course dinner with glass of wine for $50—which is 25% off. The deals apply Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, excluding Friday and Saturday. You can take a look at the menus below. read more »
Posted by janelle | January 19th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Whether you just started dating or have been married 30+ years, Kitsilano’s Art of Loving is hosting a Valentine’s Day event that is sure to be a little more interesting than the late seating at your favourite restaurant…and possibly preferable to a red and pink card.
Reacquaint yourself with your partner and the fun of necking like teenagers. The event promises to help you “take kissing to a whole new level.” If you attend, we want to know what that means.
The event is being held February 13 and 14th at 8pm and costs $59 per couple (pre-registration is required).
The Art of Loving, 1818 W 5th (at Burrard), 604-742-9988, Artofloving.ca
Posted by Taraneh | January 18th, 2012 | 10 Comments »
Exorbitant real estate prices are an accepted downside in Vancouver. When I go to a Kits apartment party with 30-something peers, there’s no shortage of complaints. We stand crammed like sardines in a tiny “den” bemoaning the fact that starter homes are well out of reach. Despite saving for a down payment and making offers, many are still on the hunt and losing hope.
As more media outlets focus on the middle class housing shortage in Vancouver, the big question is: How far does the average family have to move to buy a bigger home?
On housing prices
According to CBC, the average price for a resale home in Canada was $360,000 in November 2011. But $360,000 goes farther outside of Vancouver.
In Vancouver, $360,000 will only get you something like a one bedroom/one bathroom condo with 653 sq. ft. In Toronto, you can get a 765 sq. ft., one bedroom for the same price. In spots like Fredericton and Charlottetown, you can get a 3-4 bedroom, single family home for slightly less ($358,000-$359,000). (Source: CBC’s random real estate search using MLS listings.) read more »
Posted by Taraneh | January 17th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Videomatica, former Kits video store of 29 years, donated the lion’s share of its collection to local universities UBC and SFU.
UBC will receive a whopping 28,000 DVDs, 4,000 video tapes and 900 Blu-rays, valued at $1.7 million. The titles will accessible to students, staff, faculty and the public in 2013. Simon Fraser University will receive 2,800 documentaries from the collection.
The total collection includes rare features, literary adaptations, cult/art films, foreign films from more than 75 countries and Vancouver International Film Festival selections.
Read more about Videomatica’s closing.
Read about Videomatica’s new spot in Zulu Records.
Posted by janelle | January 16th, 2012 | Leave a comment »
Today I took part in the opening day of Vancouver’s second annual Hot Chocolate Festival with a hot chocolate chai at Terra Breads. In support of their favourite charities, from January 14 to February 14, thirteen of Vancouver’s top chocolatiers will create hot chocolate drinks spiked with innovative, weird and downright delicious flavours. Lucky for us, Kitsilano’s Thomas Haas and Terra Breads are key participants.
The line up of flavours is enough to make any chocolate lover drool. Flavours include hazelnut with crown royal marshmallows, white chocolate with mango and coconut, dark rum and eggnog truffle, mandarin dark chocolate, classic with soft caramel and fleur de sel and about 50 other varieties!
13 chocolatiers, 30 days, and over 50 flavours! As the weather gets colder, I am one chocolate lover who will definitely be tipping my mug for a good cause. read more »
