One Way to Celebrate the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

by Lisa Ovens

Let's say you entered in a contest to win an opportunity to be a 2010 Olympic Torch bearer, but you were not chosen. What's the next best thing? How about a Birks 2010 Olympic Torch Replica?

It's a scale model of the torch with a brushed aluminum base, stored  in a gorgeous, genuine Canadian Alder wood box. The replica torch is a limited edition piece (50,000) and the set includes a certificate of authenticity.
Cost:  CDN $295

Birks is the official supplier of jewelry for the 2010 Winter Olympic games. The name Birks goes back to the late 1800's in Canada. Generations of Canadians have received precious keepsakes in Birks blue boxes for birthdays, Christmases, graduations, weddings and those gifts "just because..."

Birks 2010 Olympic Collection website

Okay, let's say you you didn't make the torch bearer team, and the replica doesn't fit your budget. How about a nice 2010 Winter Olympic Torch scarf? These scarves are an acrylic/ polyester blend in beautiful rich, fall colors.

Cost: CDN $20.00

The Olympic Torch replica and scarves are both available at the 2010 Olympic Superstore in The Hudson's Bay, downtown Vancouver.

Happy Torch Bearing!!!!

The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

by Lisa Ovens

Made by Bombardier , the 2010 Winter Olympic Torch is supposed to remind us of the track a skiier leaves in the snow. I can see that. That's the official description. But to many, the first thing they saw was a big marajuana joint (the unofficial description). 12,000 of these torches will be used during the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay heading across Canada beginning Friday Oct. 30th, 2009.

The Olympic Flame symbolizes the principles of peace, brotherhood and friendship; characteristics I believe Canada has an abundance of.

45,000 Kilometres 1000 communities 106 days

 The Olympic Torch is coming to a town or point of interest near you! In fact, about 90 per cent of Canada’s population will be within a one-hour drive of torch relay. And there will be parties. Over 200 community parties will take place over the course of the 106 days, with the biggest party on February 12, 2010, the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games at BC Place in Vancouver.

12,000 people will be responsible for running the torch and lighting up the torch in the hand of the next runner. I know what "next runner" I'd like to be: The runner after NHL superstar, Sidney Crosby. His leg of the relay is on Nov. 18th through Halifax, Nova Scotia, and he's feeling very honored to be involved in this long standing bit of Olympic pomp and circumstance.

Sidney Crosby is a Stanley Cup champion, a dedicated althete and is respected by many the world over, but especially by the citizens of his home province, Nova Scotia. Wouldn't that be cool to be standing on a road, and it's Sid the Kid running towards you all smiling and happy to see you? I'd like that, and I know I'm not the only one who would.

Best wishes to all the torch bearers as they keep the flame alive and burning bright over the winter!

Olympic Torch Relay Map

Offical Olympic Torch Relay Webpage at vancouver2010.com

The Olympic Flame is on its Way

Random Olympic Snippets : Today's Colour is Red

by Lisa Ovens

That's right, only Red 2010 Winter Olympic Items today. Let's begin with a building under wraps...

This is the Hotel Georgia, a historical building on the
corner of West Georgia Street and Howe Street in downtown Vancouver. It's being restored and a 48 storey glass residential tower will be squeezed in behind. Yes, everything downtown has to be tucked right in; space is at a premium here. And for years developers have been having a hayday "tearing them down" and squeezing them in.

My cousin Jen and I were reminiscing about bars we used to refresh at in Vancouver that have since been destroyed (not by us!) and the basement bar in the Georgia came up: the Chameleon. It was a hot, tiny club. And it was very red.

Olympic visitors who like to party should be prepared: most downtown Vancouver clubs are tiny in comparison to night clubs in other North Amercian cities.

Please visit the Hotel Georgia/ Residences website and see "the old meets new" architecture.



My "Paint the Town Red" Shirt is here!!!

 Thanks to Olympic cereal sponsor, General Mills, I received my free gift with cereal purchase on Friday. I had no choice but to order a kids size large because they had run out of adult sizes.
I was concerned if this adorable red shirt would fit...and it does! It will look even better when I drop a few more pre-Olympic pounds in preparation to paint Vancouver Red!

For the whole story and a review of the cereal, please click here.

Seeing  RED?

Many British Columbians see RED when they think of Premier
Gordon Campbell. But the audience of the Today Show probably just saw the RED mittens Gordo handed out to the hosts as he promoted the Winter Games in New York yesterday.

 By the time you read this, Campbell will be on his way to Olympia, Greece for the lighting of the Olympic Flame. Don't worry, he brought the torches with him. Yes, the torches that look like joints...geez...no matter what we do here, there's always a weed reference :o) 

The Red Mittens: Only $10 and for sale at the Hudson's Bay, Home Outfitters and Zellers with proceeds going to Canadian Olympic Athletes. Here's a link where you can order online Red Mittens.   

End red.

Heavy Medal: The 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Medal Design

by Lisa Ovens


"The biggest challenge was feeling that it was worthy of the Athletes."
- Corrine Hunt, artist, 2010 Winter Olympic Medals

This video says it all. It's just over 7 minutes long, but I encourage everyone to watch it. Meet Corrine Hunt and Omer Arbel (the artist and designer), see footage of the process in making the treasures, see beautiful scenery of British Columbia, and meet past medal winners and hear their thoughts on what it was like to win an Olympic medal. It will get you excited about the games. Enjoy...



vanoc webteam

Note to hockey fans: The video even includes two Vancouver Canuck players, wondertwins, Henrik and Daniel Sedin (teammates on the 2006 Gold Medal men's hockey team from Sweden)

These are the heaviest Olympic medals to date: weighing 500- 576 grams (17 to 20 ounces). That's over a pound...chunky! If anything, these medals are majestic. The artist and designer have captured the majesty of the land surrounding Whistler and Vancouver perfectly.

For my previous Olympic medal post, including the medal count from the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, please click here...2010 Olympic Hardware

The Award Winning Richmond Olympic Oval

by Lisa Ovens

Richmond Olympic Oval: home of the long track speed skating competition for the 2010 Winter Olympics

Photo taken by Lisa Ovens Dec. 13th 2008, Grand Opening Weekend

And the first Gold Medal goes to...The Richmond Olympic Oval!!!! Hearts working at the Oval will be a little more a glow than usual after learning about the engineering award bestowed on the beautiful speed skating/ fitness facility earlier this week. The Institution of Structural Engineers awarded the Oval a Gold Medal in the Sports and Leisure category, beating out the stunning “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium in Beijing, China.

I first saw the site for the Oval when riding my bike on along the Middle Arm Trail, spring 2007. You can see the trail running along the edge of the river. This is one of my favorite flat places to ride when I’m in the mood to ride, write, picnic and watch planes take off (Vancouver International Airport is quite close by, on the other side of the river).

The best part about the building is the roof. The designers chose to use wood that had been destroyed by pine beetles. (The pine beetle infestation is a serious issue in a province filled with trees like BC is.)

It was less than a year ago, the facility celebrated it's grand opening, which included a variety of ceremonies and entertainment. The big draw however, was free skating on the track. Thousands showed up despite the unusually cold weather to skate where the Olympic stars will skate.

My friends and I navigated the packed ice, and with that many people gliding, you really had to be careful. The craziest thing I saw was a dad and son having a skating lesson. I guess the dad decided the grand opening weekend would be a great time to teach his kid how to skate. The dad had a big broom in his hands. He skated backwards, and his kid held on for dear life. I tried to get a photo of this, but then decided to leave the man and his misguided judgement alone.

This weekend ( Oct. 17-20, 2009) will be the Fall World Cup  Trials, and it will also be the last time we will see Team Canada's speed skaters at the Oval before the games in February. It's only a $5.00 admission for adults, and free for kids 12 yrs and younger. For more information on the trials, and everything else you can do at the Richmond Olympic Oval, please visit the website Richmond Olympic Oval ...don't forget to check the schedule for public skating!

Olympic Ticket Update

Email message from vancouver2010.com...

Phase 3 Tickets On Sale November 7



The third and final phase of Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games tickets will go on sale to Canadian residents on Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time). What will be available? More than 100,000 tickets to Olympic events in city venues plus thousands of great seats to cheer on our Paralympic athletes in ice sledge hockey, alpine skiing and more!

Locals' Ticket Offer


For one weekend only, "locals" from Squamish to Mt. Currie will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase Whistler-based Olympic tickets.

Step 1: Pre-register your ticketing account by October 23 at 7:00 pm (Pacific Time)
Step 2: Purchase your Whistler Olympic tickets from October 24 at 10:00 am to October 25 at 5:00 pm
Step 3: Celebrate! Get two tickets to a Whistler Victory Ceremony!*

*Visit vancouver2010.com/tickets for more information and conditions, or check out the FAQs to learn more!


Pre-Sale Offer: Molson Canadian Hockey House

Vancouver 2010 account holders have been offered the chance to purchase individual day passes for Molson Canadian Hockey House at Concord Place Exposition and Activity Zone prior to the general public. This is a great chance to experience an unprecedented venue that will feature 80,000 square feet of club space, gourmet dining, entertainment, giant high-definition screens, celebrities, hockey legends and heroes from Team Canada past and present as well as live music.

2010 Oympic Hardware : The Olympic Medals

By Lisa Ovens

Before there were medals, there were ribbons. Remember being a kid, earning a ribbon in competition? I do. I also remember imagining what it would be like to win Gold in an Olympic event. Didn’t matter which event either. In my head I was winning them all. But I only really imagined the last part of competing: the finish.

On Thursday October 15th, we will find out what awaits the top three athletes of each winter Olympic sport. The design of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics medals will be revealed in a ceremony at the recently complete Athlete’s Village in Vancouver.

The Royal Canadian Mint is making the medals, and Teck Cominco are the metal suppliers.

Side Note: Going back to my youth again...as a child of British Columbia, my school field trips involved tours of our natural resources and the places that worked with them. If it involved water, salmon, trees and mining, I was there.

So, yes I donned a hard hat and gingerly walked around scalding hot cauldrons of molten metals at the Cominco smelting plant outside of Trail, BC. On a side note to this side note, the Trail/ Rossland area of British Columbia is a hockey hot bed. Check out the hockey history including some great old photos here. The home team, the Trail Smoke Eaters are two time Champions in the World Ice Hockey Championships (1939,1961)

For readers who like to keep score, here are the combined medal (gold, silver, bronze) wins tallied after the last Winter Olympics...

2006 Torino Winter Olympics Medal Count 

Germany 29 ,USA 25, Canada 24

Austria 23, Russia 22, Norway 19

Sweden 14, Switzerland 14, South Korea 11

Italy 11, China 11, France 9

Netherlands 9, Finland 9, Czech Republic 4

Estonia  3, Croatia  3, Australia  2

Poland  2, Ukraine  2, Japan  1

Belarus  1, Bulgaria  1, Great Britain  1

Slovakia  1, Latvia  1

Coming up...

October is a busy month for all things Winter Olympics. Here are a few other happenings...

October 14: Release of Phase 2 of the integrated transportation plan

October 22: Official Olympic Flame lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece

October 30: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay starts in Victoria, BC

Cowichan Sweater Gate: Turning Lemons into Lemonade

By Lisa Ovens

                                            Cowichan sweater and purse (below(  photos: Hills Native Arts

It’s is a little sad to hear a Vancouver Island Native Arts company lost out on the bid to supply beautiful traditional sweaters to our Canadian Olympic Team and Officials. But that’s big business for you. You win some, you lose some.

However, Hills Native Arts has scored some valuable face time in the media, and people are talking about this story. This could mean more sales for Cowichan sweaters and accessories. I spent some time on their website, and for only $30.00, fans of the look can order the cute Cowichan knitted purse (shown below).

The website is outfitted with an online store, and plenty of crafts to browse. So if you are feeling like you want to support the First Nations business community, check out the website and find yourself something special to wear this winter.

Hills Native Arts

If you'd like to learn more about the Cowichan Valley region on Vancouver Island, please visit some of the following websites:

Cowichan Valley Reginal District Tourism

Cowichan Valley Photos

Vancouver Island Tourist Information
                                                                                             Along with a rich First Nations history, the Valley is home to many wineries, farms and outdoor recreation activities. Yours truly toured the wine country on a bicycle a few years back, and that definitely is great way to experience the Cowichan Valley.

Lisa's Whistler Advice for Luger, Reagan Lauscher

By Lisa Ovens

Whistler Mountain, as seen from Meadow Park Sports Centre photo: Lisa Ovens

It’s been a catty couple of days in Luge Land. Canadian Olympian luger/ journalist, Reagan Lauscher lashed out at Olympic Host town, Whistler, BC for not ladling out the 2010 love. What she wrote in her blog did turn into some sort of Whistler/ Vancouver, BC vs. Calgary, Alberta rant, so I am a little unclear on what is really going on up there in the mountains.

As reported in her CTV.ca blog, Lauscher and friends (or entourage...its unclear) received criticism on their equipment etiquette from local Whistler gym users at Meadow Park Sports Centre, leaving the luger lonesome for Cowtown (Calgary...her hometown) and seriously questioning the spirit of British Columbia.

My advice to Lauscher is simple: You are new to Whistler and may not be aware of the changes the community has endured over the years. The lean years with lousy snow falls, and then the NHL lock out. Not to mention the invasion of retail chain stores, killing off the mom and pop businesses. And then there was the great weed drought of 2003 (okay, I’m kidding on that one).

You may have experienced the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. But remember, that was a much bigger city absorbing Olympic sized aches and pains, and not a small resort town home to just 10, 000 people.

Remember Reagan, you are a free woman, with your own passport and the opportunity you have had to follow your dreams was unimpeded by no one. And by no one I mean governments, military, religious leaders, laws or dictators.

And you are letting a few Whistler “Nimby’s" get to you?

Reagan, please go into your purse right now, and get that Canadian Passport out, open it up and look at that picture. There you are, a free woman living your dream. Your time in Whistler is temporary, and it will fly by. Before you know it, you’ll be back in Calgary. And hopefully showing off a beautiful gold medal.

If that pep talk doesn’t work, and you are still homesick, I don’t know...try the Longhorn? Or hit The Keg for a big, juicy steak?

   _____________________________________________________________________________

Note from Lisa...

I realize all prior posts here at 2010 and High Heels have focused on 2010 in Vancouver, but that doesn't mean I am forgetting Whistler, the co-host city. I have been visiting Whistler since 1987, on recreational, business and creative trips. I have plenty of Whistler content I am putting together to feature over several "Whistler Weeks" leading up to the 2010 games.

Look up....Wa-a-a-a-y Up....It's the Vancouver 2010 Premier Lounge

by Lisa Ovens

I caught the Vancouver Canucks home opener on Monday night, and took a pic of what will be the Vancouver 2010 Premier Lounge during the 2010 Winter Olympics Mens and Womens ice hockey touraments.

If you are not sure where it is, look at the United States flag. Now look slightly down from that and you'll see the two levels (the top level has a white underbelly). People with vertigo issues may want to pass on this location and try to find something a little lower.

Friday October 9th is the last day for Canuck season ticket holders to take advantage of Olympic ice hockey pre-sale ticket packages for the Vancouver 2010 Premier Lounge. For more information on the Vancouver 2010 Premier Lounge, please click here.

Molson Canadian Hockey House: Canada's Biggest Hockey Party Ever

by Lisa Ovens

photo by Lisa Ovens

Here's more Olympic hockey news...Molson Canadian announced details regarding the 81,000 square foot Hockey House being built just a slap shot away from Canada Hockey Place. This hockey party place features...

- 57,000 square foot sports bar/ restaurant with a 2000 person capacity
- Three 40 foot High Definition TV screens
- Tyler Stewart, drummer, the Bare Naked Ladies appointed as entertainment director, with performances from comedians, Brent Butt and Sean Cullens
-Trevor Linden and Stan Smyl are house ambassadors
- Former NHL stars will drop by at game time. (Paul Coffey, Cam Neely, Luc Robitaille, Peter Mahovlich, Danny Gare and Russ Courtnall)
- Karaoke, comedy and beer...lots of beer
- A Wolfgang Puck Catering menu - is anyone chuckling at this yet? Hockey is played with a puck...Hockey House chef's last name is Puck...anyone...Bueller? Oh, I guess everyone is still in shock over the $500 ticket price.

Yes, a one day pass at M.C. Hockey House will set you back $500.00. However, for that $500 dollar ticket you can arrive at 11:00 am, eat, drink, cheer, dance, drink and sing your face off and then shut'er down at 2:00 am when the joint closes. Think of it like a serious party day at an all inclusive resort in Mexico but instead of the beach, swim up bar, sunshine, and nearly naked bodies, you get better quality food, lots of over sized jerseys, a bald guy named Tyler, and two chubby faced guys named Brent Butt and Sean Cullen.

Have I got you excited about this yet? So excited that you want to sign up for the full meal deal, a 17 day pass at da House? The pass costs $8500.00 and with that you'll get your own private booth along with the food, beer, and entertaining bald and chubby guys. This seriously is Hockey in Canada, folks.

Okay, I am teasing the entertainment guys a bit. Doesn't mean I don't want to check out the Hockey House, though! I love the idea of such a huge dedicated hockey space. And if ticket sales are slow we can expect the price to drop, which is good.

This will be the largest temporary building/ pavillion ever built in Canada. 15,000 square feet of this space will be sacred hockey ground: Hockey Canada's Olympic Headquarters. That's right, a portion of the house is reserved for our Team Canada (women's and men's) and their families. It will be their place to kick back and chill out. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will have a cozy 9000 square feet to call their own as well.

photo by Lisa Ovens

If I remember correctly, the Hockey House decor will include hockey art. Now, if I can't manage to get inside the Hockey House for some serious indoor hockey fun, I would like to at least see my hockey art hanging on a wall. These are my second and third Olympic Challenges:

Lisa's Olympic Challenges

Spend a day at Molson Canadian Hockey House
Get the person  in charge of decor to accept a piece of my hockey art for display
Watch a game from the perches of the Vancouver 2010 Premier Lounge

Wish me luck ;o)

To see more of Lisa's hockey art, please visit her online art gallery, Mesh Galleria at hockeyandhighheels.com

Fan's of Lisa's hockey art are invited to purchase a Mesh Galleria blank greeting card set available exclusively at The Shop at hockeyandhighheels.com 

It's Starting...

by Lisa Ovens

                                photo: Lisa Ovens

I spent some time in the newly expanded 2010 Winter Olympics Superstore at The Bay downtown this afternoon. If there are Vancouverites out there who need a shot of 2010 fever, this is the place to get it.

La Superboutique Olympique (en Francais)  is colourful, hot, cool and cozy all at the same time. I felt so, so athletic cruising through the aisles. It might have been the pumpin'  DJ tunes, or maybe the oversized images of snowboarders and skiiers that put me in such a great state of mind. Seeing the downtown store decked out like this should convince the locals that the pre-Olympic build up is in full swing.

photo: Lisa Ovens

The Canadian Olympic Team apparel section was missing something. Where are the sweaters?

I asked a staff member about the status on the sweaters. She said as of saturday afternoon they were sold out, along with the matching toques. Wow, all gone in two and a half days! There are two versions of the sweater: machine made (CDN $125) and hand knitted (CDN $350). She didn't have an E.T.A. on the next shipment.

I didn't have time to try on the clothes, but here is a guy's perspective on how he felt donning the cool threads.....

"As soon as you pull on these colours, you think about Canada and what it stands for - quiet determination, hard work and sharing the load... These are values all Canadians share. You think of heros like Gordie Howe, Terry Fox and Rick Hansen."  -Steve Yzeman, Executive Director Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey team

Canadian Athletes...this is your look....and ours too!

By Lisa Ovens

This is good. Not only do I love the new look for our Canadian Winter Olympic athletes, but I'm very impressed with the man modeling the collection! Steve Yzerman, you are looking very good!

Just for the female readers, at 2010andhighheels, I give you the guys. This cozy and sporty collection is only available at The Bay and Zellers stores. Check out the Bay's website here.

To see more and read the story behind the clothing, please visit olympic.ca    

The sweater below reminds of a beautiful Cowichan sweater my grandma knitted for me when I was 12 years old. I still have the sweater, correction, my sister has had it for like, the last ten years!

Now that we know what we are wearing this winter, The Hudson's Bay Company wants to know what we're made of. This is a cool contest....

Hey Canada, what are YOU made of?

Upload a story, photo or video. The best entry will win a trip for two to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to watch the men’s gold medal ice hockey game, including flights, cash, 2010 Canadian Olympic Team Apparel and more!

Time to unleash your creativity, Canadians...check out the contest, and the latest entries at whatareyoumadeof.hbc.com



The Launch
 Here is a photo from the launch event earlier today at the 2010 Olympic store in the downtown Hudson's bay store. Unfortunately, yours truly wasn't able to attend, but I talked about it all day!

photo credits: olympic.ca, globaltv