Vancurious Blog

Tis the season of much content and many a new Hazy IPA and some cool new stouts.

St. Andrew’s United Church at 1044 St. George’s Avenue in the City of North Vancouver was built in 1912. The architects were Alexander and Brown. However, the first St. Andrew’s, which at that time was a Presbyterian Church, was located on East 6th Street facing Victoria Park and built in 1904. The “new” church built in 1912 is the one we see today, a shingle-clad adaptation in the Gothic Revival style.

From the City of North Vancouver: "The equestrian sculpture and historic water trough pays homage to those who trod before us. Horses ascending from the waterfront on the left side hauled supplies up the steep incline [of Lonsdale Ave] to developing commercial and residential sites.

A delightful evening at the Sun Yat-Sen Garden at the "Will Travel for Food" event on February 26. I hadn't been at this Chinese Garden for quite a while, and never at night - and it was magical. Walking through the lantern-lit garden at night was lovely and sampling the various vendor foods was delicious. Sam Shem brought us some special ice-cream that reminded me of green tea icecream but was more fruity. The lovely Olivia served amazing Hawthorne cocktails to those discerning enough to choose the alcoholic drink.

"Oh!" he said and danced a jig "it is you! it arrived!" He was so happy for me that he darted this way and that, leading me to the back corner of the Gull Liquor store that opens onto the warehouse. He pointed to the top right side of the shelf in the craft beer cooler section that contained the treasure.

"Or..." he says, contemplating this option, moving from foot to foot and adjusting his mask "or... you could of course take a whole case...?"

Note: Images are not mine -usually downloaded from the brewery's sites themselves.

The first one.... you barely notice. Just like any other mark identifying the path as designated for bikers, hikers, rollerbladers.Then.... hold on... wait a minute... uno dos... it's time to go.... backtracking and checking, resolving the cognitive dissonance between the expected and the seen.

Barely visible, in a corner of a North Vancouver strip mall, hides a sizeable (1.5 acre) botanical garden with an astonishing history of over 50 years, which is free to the public. Flanked by the Starbucks and the JJ Bean (which has a very nice patio on the garden side), you can enter the gardens through the arched enclosure. The circular paths make for great wandering, the plants are labeled and there are a gazillion pokemon stops!

So get yourself a coffee, and explore!

Very fun Solstice Drag show at the House of Funk Brewing! Some of Vancouver's famous and talented performers entertained the crowd, as did the many flavours of stout. Hosted by local legend, Shanda Leer, and featuring performances by Belladonna Von Shade, Jerrilynn Spears & Delica Cee, it was a night to entice and enchant!

On until January 3rd, don't miss it!  [Header image: Dina Goldstein, from Polygon's website: "Dina Goldstein, Punk Hands (detail), 2021."]

Deeply touching, intimate and glorious photographs by Dina Goldstein on display at the Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver, which you'll find close to the Lonsdale Quay - a short walk from the Seabus. Admission by donation and they may still have a lovely pop-up store right now for anyone who is stuck for Post-Christmas present.