Tinkerblue

Whistler Victory Ceremonies and Celebration Sites

Today VANOC announced the performers for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies.

The Vancouver Victory Ceremonies will be held inside at BC Place, the Whistler Victory Ceremonies will be held outside at the Whistler Celebration Plaza, against the backdrop of the snow covered Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.  Chilly?  Yes.  But oh so pretty.

Here is the line up (taken directly from the press release):

Saturday, February 13 - All American Rejects (www.allamericanrejects.com)
Medal presentations in men’s downhill skiing, ski jumping and women’s biathlon                                  

Sunday, February 14 - Estelle (www.estellemusic.com)
Medal presentations in ladies’ alpine skiing, men’s Nordic combined (individual normal hill) and biathlon 

Monday, February 15 - Pierre Lapointe (www.pierrelapointe.com)
Medal presentations in men’s luge and cross-country skiing 

Tuesday, February 16 - Feist (www.listentofeist.com)
Medal presentations in men’s alpine skiing, women’s luge and biathlon 

Wednesday, February 17 - Our Lady Peace (www.ourladypeace.net)
Medal presentations in alpine skiing and cross-country skiing

Thursday, February 18 - Deadmau5 (www.deadmau5.com)
Medal presentations in men’s luge doubles and biathlon

Friday, February 19 - Hedley (www.hedleyonline.com)
Medal presentations in men’s alpine skiing and ladies’ cross-country skiing 

Saturday, February 20 - Stars (www.sadrobots.ca)
Medal presentations in men’s and women’s skeleton, ladies’ alpine skiing and men’s ski jumping 

Sunday, February 21 - OneRepublic (www.onerepublic.net)
Medal presentations in men’s cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and two-man bobsleigh, as well as biathlon 

Monday, February 22 - To be confirmed
Live medal presentations in cross-country skiing and men’s ski jumping 

Tuesday, February 23 - The Fray (www.thefray.net)
Live medal presentations in Nordic combined (men’s team relay) and women’s biathlon 

Wednesday, February 24 - Jet (www.jettheband.com)
Live medal presentations in ladies’ alpine skiing and men’s cross-country skiing

Thursday, February 25 -  The Roots (www.theroots.com)
Medal presentations in women’s bobsleigh, Nordic combined and ladies’ cross-country skiing 

Friday, February 26 - K’Naan (www.knaanmusic.ning.com)
Medal presentations in ladies’ alpine skiing and men’s biathlon 

Saturday, February 27 -Usher (www.usherworld.com)                                                                                                        Medal presentations in men’s alpine skiing and four-man bobsleigh, as well as ladies’ cross-country skiing 

I am particularly looking forward to Feist, Our Lady Peace and The Fray.

So how do you get tickets?

Whistler Victory Ceremony tickets will be distributed to the public in the Sea to Sky region through a contest operated in partnership with Tourism Whistler at www.whistler.com. 

The contest will operate for 11 days, starting on January 4, 2010 and is open to residents from Squamish to Mount Currie. Entries at www.whistler.com will be limited to one per e-mail address. 

The contest will close on January 15, 2010 and winners will be notified via e-mail by January 22, 2010. Tickets must be picked up by the winner (with ID and proof of address in the Sea to Sky region) at the Main Ticket Centre in Whistler, located next to Whistler Medals Plaza, by January 31, 2010.  

Remember there is no Olympic Bus Network Service to/from Whistler Celebration Plaza.  If you need to get to Vancouver after the Whistler Victory Ceremony you will need to book on a private charter.

Alexander Ovechkin and some pin winners

Are you a hockey fan? If you aren't then this is not going to make sense or be of any interest to you. If you are a hockey fan, then Thursday could be a very exciting day for you. 

It's your chance to meet Alexander Ovechkin.  I'm not a big hockey fan, I like going to a game or two, or watching a game at the pub but even I know Alexander Ovechkin is a big deal.

When?  Thursday December 17th, 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Where?  The Olympic Superstore at The Bay Downtown, Vancouver

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) you can pre purchase items from the Signature series.  You must purchase on of the signature series items in order to meet Ovechkin and have your item autographed.

Signature Series merchandise 

2010 Signature Series hockey poster

2010 Signature Series puck
•Signature Series hockey stick
•Team Russia jersey
•Ovechkin Team Russia matted photo

 image - VANOC 

Oops, I forgot to draw the pin winners.  I have a slew of pins to give away.

Kate won the first pin - the umbrella.  I have been remiss in sending it out.  Don't worry Kate you will get it before Christmas.

 

Next up was the seaplane for anyone who left a comment between Nov 22nd and 29th.  There were 11 comments left, and random.org chose commenter #4 - Michelle who said, "Hello I asked the VANOC how long your ticket is valid on the olympic bus network for your event?? They told me it was good for only 2 hours after your event, and not valid for Victory Ceremonies late at night?? Have you heard anything different.thanks Michelle ( great blog)"

 

In honour of the mascots 2nd birthday I had 4 pins to give away for anyone who left a comment between Nov 22nd and Dec 6th:

The Bell ice skating pin goes to Andrea

 
 

The We're Next pin goes to Sarah

 

The mascot totem pins goes to Roro

 

The mascot visa pin goes to Jawnbc

And finally Jawnbc was the first person to post on the Paint the Town Red post and is therefore the winner of the red toque pin. 

 

Send your contact details to tinkblue(at)gmail.com
   

And tomorrow they announce the performers for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies. Woohoo.

My Christmas Wishlist

Village Bag in Purple Lotus

 Cranberry Starburst Watch

 Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus in stainless steel 

 Eames Hang It All

 Dogwood flower lidded box

 Fish napkin holders (4)

 Penguin Salt and Pepper

  Columbia Glimmer Girl beanie and scarf in hollyberry

 Sephora double ended foundation and powder brush

 Bloom Essentials gift certificate

 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince DVD

Winter socks like Thorlos, Smartwool, Wigwam - something to wear inside my boots for 6 weeks outside in the cold.

And of course, what would my wish list be without books.  I have a never ending wishlist at Amazon.

And if any of us happen to win the lottery, I would like to stake my claim on these:

This Japanese Floral rug in saffron or this Honeycomb rug in honeydew (8 x 10) by Florence Broadhurst.

 this is the tangerine, I would like the saffron
 this is the blue, i would like the honeydew (green) please.

These red glitter heels by Christian Louboutin.  They're only $775.00 USD and who knows when I'd ever wear them or how I'd walk in them, but aren't they pretty!

 

  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

More Tickets - Paralympic Closing Ceremony, Figure Skating Training

More tickets!

 

Tomorrow, Friday December 11th, at 10:00am.

 

The Paralympic Closing Ceremony will be on Day 10 - Sunday March 21st 2010.  It will be held at the Whistler Medals Plaza. Tickets are $60.00 each plus tax. Tickets are available from www.vancouver2010.com, either of VANOCs two main ticket centres or at 1-800-tickets

 VANOC/COVAN

Want to see the figure skating but missed the tickets?  Why not go to a training session at Pacific Coliseum?  Tickets are available for seven training sessions.  Not bad. Tickets are available online or through 1-800-tickets.  They are not available at the two main ticket centres.

Molson Coors supports the Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund.

Ah the irony of the official supplier of beer supporting youth in sport.

Make a donation of $10.00 or more to the Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund and you will receive the new Four Host First Nations and Molson Coors pin. 100% of the proceeds go to the fund.

 

The pin design is the work of Glenn George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. It represents the sun rising between two mountain peaks. The sun gives life to Mother Earth.  The mountains, commonly referred to as the Lions, represent protection.

Make your donation here.

The Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund was created by VANOC and the Four Host First Nations to support education, sport, culture, and sustainability initiatives for Aboriginal Youth across Canada beyond the 2010 Winter Games.

Did you also know that a third of the royalties received by VANOC from the sale of Aboriginal licensed products will go towards this program also? Check out the Authentic Aboriginal Product at the online store.

This the 2nd pin (I think) that Molson Coors have made to support fundraising efforts for 2010.  The first pin in a limited edition of 2010 and is available for a donation of $20.10.  Actually you'll get two pins, one to keep and one to give away.  Funds raised go the Canadian Olympic Federation to support athletes. 

 

Victory Ceremonies Update

VANOC finally announced the line up for the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies.  Each evening will run something like this:

• Ceremonies will start at 6.25pm (PST) each night
• Each night will be hosted by a province or territory and they will start the evening with a 30 minute show
• The medal presentations follow
• An hour long performance by the headline act will wrap up the evening
• Live feed from the Victory Ceremonies in Whistler

February 14th  - BC Night

• Nelly Furtado
• Men's 1500m short track speed skating
• Ladies moguls
• Mens 5000m and ladies 3000m speed skating

February 15th  - Quebec Night

• TBA
• Men's moguls

February 16th - Nova Scotia

• Barenaked Ladies
• Men's and ladies snowboard cross
• Men's 500m speed skating

February 17th - Alberta Night

• Paul Brandt
• Ladies 500m speed skating

February 18th - Prince Edward Island Night

• Hedley
• Ladies' 500m short track speed skating
• Men's snowboard halfpipe
• Men's and ladies 1000m speed skating

February 19th - Northwest Territories' Night

• Theory of a Deadman
• Ladies' snowboard halfpipe

February 20th - Yukon Night

• Stereophonics
• No medal ceremonies, concert only.

February 21st - Nunavut Night

• Trooper & Loverboy
• Ladies' 1500m and Men's 1000m short track speed skating
• Men's 1500m speed skating
• Men's ski cross

February 23rd  - Saskatchewan Night

• Billy Talent
• Ladies' ski cross
• Men's 10,000m speed skating

February 24th - Ontario Night

• INXS
• Ladies' 5000m speed skating

February 25th - Manitoba Night

• Burton Cummings
• Ladies' 3000m relay short track speed skating
• Ladies' aerials

February 26th - Newfoundland and Labrador night

• Great Big Sea
• Men's aerials
• Ladies' snowboarding parallel giant slalom

Mum and Dad have tickets to the 20th and 21st.

Dave wants tickets to the 16th and 26th.

I'm still waiting to see who will be in the lineup for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies.

Village Mayors, and Victory Ceremonies

Not much to say tonight as I'm in a crabby mood.

Honorary Mayors of the Olympic and Paralympic Villages were announced today.  Rick Hansen and Tricia Smith will be Mayors of the Vancouver Olympic Village, Anna Fraser Sproule and Alan Kristmanson of the Whistler Olympic Village.

During the Paralympics Dr Douglas Clement and his wife Diane Clement will take on the mayoral duties in Vancouver, while the Whistler honours go to Marni Abbott-Peter and Patrick Anderson.

Read the full details here.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Keep an eye out tomorrow for an announcement regarding the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies.

                         image VANOC/COVAN

According to the VANOC website, "Check back December 8 for a full list of performers and to purchase new premium Vancouver Victory Cereomy tickets for $50*."  

The Whistler lineup will be announced December 15th.

Mum and Dad have tickets to the Victory Ceremonies on February 20th and 21st.  On the 20th there are no medal presentations just a concert.  There are still tickets available to the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies.  I'm quite interested to see who will be playing.

Cypress Mountain - Venue for Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding!

 VANOC/COVAN
 

Cypress is 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.  Home to downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshowing and snow tubing. Years ago hubby and I had season passes to Cypress.  Every Monday night we went skiing, at least hubby did.  I kind of snow plowed very slowly behind him.  But hey, I did get off the bunny hill and on to the green runs.  I even managed a few blue runs.  We haven't been in years. And it's been a while since we've been snow shoeing or snow tubing even.

 

click on map to open an interactive map from Cypress Mountain. 

Next February Cypress will host the freestyle skiing (moguls, aerials, and ski cross) and snowboarding (half-pipe, parallel giant slalom and snowboard cross) competitions.  

My Mum and Dad have tickets to the Ladies Snowboard Halfpipe (qualification, semi final and final) on Thursday the 18th.

And I think Morag has 4 or 6 tickets for some of our group to the Ladies Snowboard Cross on the 16th.

So what do you need to know about Cypress Mountain as an Olympic Venue?

• Gates open 3 hours prior to the event start time.
• There's no shelter and you'll be outside for hours, wear warm clothes
• Bring your cowbell to make lots of noise
• Cypress is part of the Olympic Bus Network.  
• Bookings open on December 11th.
• Fare is $14.00 per person until January 10th. (after that it will increase to $25.00).  
• The departure hubs for Cypress are Capilano University, Simon Fraser University and Lonsdale Quay.
• Tickets are non refundable
• Parking is limited, but with your event ticket you can ride public transit for free
• Arrive at the departure hub at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time
• There is an approx 2km uphill walk from the bus drop off point to the stadiums
• The last bus back to the departure hubs leaves 2 hours after the competition ends.

 More information is available at:

TravelSmart 2010

Click and Park

Vancouver 2010

Cypress Mountain

Cypress is still open to the public right now. So if you live locally why not take the opportunity to go skiing or snowtubing or snowboarding etc at an Olympic venue? We're going to try and go tubing before Christmas.

(don't worry about booking the bus hubby and I will do it for you shortly)

 image Cypress Mtn.

Google street views recently covered the slopes at Cypress on a snow mobile, so look for those images to show on google maps soon.

 image Cypress Mountain
 

 

Cedar Springs Bed and Breakfast Lodge in Whistler

10 years ago Joern and Jackie were generous enough to gift us a weekend in the honeymoon suite at Cedar Springs Bed and Breakfast Lodge as a wedding gift.  Back at the beginning of November we finally managed to cash it in.  The night we went up was the first snow big snowfall of the season.

 image - Cedar Springs
 

If you need a place to stay in Whistler go stay with them. Don't just take my word for it, check out the reviews on Trip Advisor.  They are fully booked for the Olympics, but they have rooms before and after, and they still have rooms during the Paralympics.

Sleep in big comfy pine beds, ours even came with chocolates on the pillows.

 Image - Cedar Springs
 

Watch the snow fall while keeping warm in the hot tub on the deck.

Relax and watch a movie in the guest lounge

 image - Cedar Springs
 

Fill up for a day of skiing, snowboarding or sightseeing with an awesome breakfast.  It was delicious - fruit, toast, blueberry pastry thingy of which I ate two because it was so good and hubby doesn't like blueberries, toast, frittata, orange juice, tea, coffee and more. I needed a nap after breakfast.

Go spend a night or two with them. Please tell Joern and Jackie I said hi.

YVR - Vancouver International Airport

Hubby and I'll will be spending our fair share of time at YVR over the next couple of months as friends and family come and go. And if you're coming to visit us, you'll no doubt spend quite a bit of time there as well. Hanging out at airports for hours on end can be somewhat tedious, so here a few ideas to keep yourself amused.

Have a drink and/or dinner at the Flying Beaver.  One of hubby's favourite places. We are both rather partial to the black and blue burger - a burger topped with melted blue cheese. It's on south side, on the riverfront and if you time it right you can sit and watch the float planes finishing up for the day. And there's not many places you'll find a float plane crossing sign.

 

Check out the Air Canada Hangar and you might spot the Air Canada Boeing 777 all decked out in Vancouver 2010 livery. You'll have to be quick as there is only one plane all dressed up.

 

The airport itself has the usual assortment of fast food and beverage places.  There's also a Milestones and the Globe and the Fairmont. Or you can grab a coffee and take a wander. And because most of the airlines don't offer food anymore, the food court places will wrap your meal in a flying friendly bag. (whatever that means).

 

There's a new Public Observation Area that opened this last summer - in the pre-security area of the domestic terminal on level 4. Floor to ceiling windows allow an uninterrupted view of the airfield and out to the Strait of Georgia. 

Information panels, telescopes and interactive kiosks provide facts, features and stories on the airport, the aircraft, the jobs and the people who work there.

 

Children - there is a nursery with cribs and change tables opposite the US check-in counters on the departure level.   After the security check points there are several unsupervised children's play areas.

Internet access - currently there is free wireless internet access if you have a laptop.  I don't know if that will change.  Probably.

The Fairmont at YVR is located right in the terminal.  The Jetside Bar and Globe@YVR restaurant have awesome views of the runway. And there's a spa, you could have a massage while waiting for your flight, or for Dave and I to pick you up (cause no doubt we will be late!).

 

There's also a medical centre, a dental centre and a pharmacy, but lets hope you don't ever need them.

And of course don't forget to go shopping in the Olympic Stores at YVR.