The weather forecast early yesterday evening predicted it would reach bellow 0 degrees overnight. I'm not sure if it did but it was cold.

I was driving along Cordova Street with a friend when I noticed a huge line-up on the right side of the street as I approached Main. My naive first instinct was: "wow, something is happening tonight!". Then I looked closer and realized it was a line-up for The Salvation Army Harbour Light shelter. The line-up continued at least half a block down the street. I looked at the front entrance and saw a big 'full' sign on the door. These people have no choice but to endure the cold tonight.

"Live like water, drink like tea". If you are a Kitsilano resident, you'll be hearing and seeing this phrase soon.
Husband and wife team, Leah Yin and Timothy Sokol are both graduates from Emily Carr Institute of Art Media and Design and presently the owners of Vancouver's only store (part of a small BC franchise) called Wired Monk bistro in Kitsilano.

Besides providing tasty treats and beverages, the venue hosts private parties. This Thursday, December 6 beginning at 7:00pm, local designer Theresa Smed is launching Dotted Loop Design, an eco-conscious and fashion forward thinking jewelry company.

The ubiquitous coffee-shop-tization of Vancouver has been a growing trend for years. Unique to this store is Leah's emphasis on building community cohesion and reclaiming the Green roots instilled in the area more than 30 years ago.

In celebration of International Jewish Book month the JCCGV is hosting their annual Jewish Book Festival. It begins this Saturday, November 24 and I have 10 tickets for Opening Night to give away!
The first 5 groups to reply and tell me how many years the festival has been running, in addition what event appears the most intriguing, will win a pair of tickets.

The Opening Night Gala features the brilliant and talented Howard Jacobson. Known for his literary humour, the British author arrives for an exclusive interview with CBC personality and writer, Eleanor Wachtel. This special event will be recorded live onstage for future broadcast on CBC Radio One's Writers and Company.

Notorious in the underground hip hop scene, heads everywhere know the name Prince Paul.

Familiar to Vancouverites, many residents know the name Balmoral--often associating it with a skuzzy and scary reputation. The newly renovated bar/pub/now live music venue is trying to shake its sticky standing and reclaim a once-upon-a-time livelihood.

Located near Main and Hastings, it is no doubt people are weary to venture to this spot, but a bad reputation and a trip to the darker side of Vancouver didn't hold this adventurous soul back.

DJ/Producer Prince Paul laid down some timeless tracks, taking the audience on a nostalgic musical memory trip. Starting his set with classics from KRS-One, Souls of Mischief, Black Sheep, then throwing in some WuTang, Tribe, Beastie Boys and of course DeLaSoul (the incredibly talented group with albums produced by him), Prince Paul proves he is still royalty in hip hop music. The only thing that's changed since his time of reign is the musical "instruments", like the Serato, an elaborate computer DJ tool, quickly replacing the traditional medium of vinyl.

The history of Balmoral's location goes back to1970 where Jazz and Disco first entered into Vancouver's music scene. The Basin Street Jazz Bar, now the Balmoral, was the hip spot to check out live bands and indulge in coffee spiked with liqueur. Unfortunately, with years of neglect, amongst other factors, this area only holds one legend now--a tragic one.

With the Lamplighter closed and the Columbia in trouble from recent violence outbreaks, The Balmoral could be the next summon for drinks to be cheered, laughs to be shared, live music to appreciate, and legends, in an infinite sense, can come to life.

PICTURE CREDIT: Marnie Pitchford