Petro Kin: Set to Report from Vancouver 2010 and Other Olympic TidBits

by Lisa Ovens

Granville street, downtown Vancouver (it's where all the bars are)

It's a Random Happenings kind of column here today...

This is a great article introducing the three sets of families chosen to travel to Vancouver for  interviews with Canadian athletes and their families during the first week of the Winter Olympics. Let's hope they get some scoops before the regular media does!
Petro Canada Family Correspondents webpage

Petro Canada's Athlete's Program is responsible for putting family members of our athletes in the stands when their loved ones are competing at the games. It was only fitting that their correspondent contest was a search for family members.

Updates from vancouver2010.com

Get a 2010 Winter Olympics Digital Souvenir!

For the first time in Olympic history, people from around the world can receive an official digital souvenir from the Opening Ceremony — and then participate in the Closing Ceremony...virtually! All you need is an e-mail address. Only available through Canada CODE: sharing our stories and images with the world.

Sign up before February 12th at Canada Code webpage

Tickets Still Available...

Buy tickets for some events, bid on tickets for other events. See what 2010 Winter Olympic Games tickets are still knocking about on vancouver2010.com's ticket webpage

And what to do when you buy them...

As I posted yesterday about some of the guidelines when attending events, vancouver2010.com are putting the word out as well. Visit the Spectator's Guide webpage for all the do's and don'ts. And be sure to read the article I posted on the subject too...mine has more humor, especially the last part!

Updates from 2010 and High Heels

Update: Belarus vs. Sweden Swag off
 
So far Round Three had been the closest race at the 2010 and High Heels Swag Off. Team Belarus's Ruslan Salei Fridge magnet is only 2 votes ahead of Team Sweden's Dala Horse. Voting ends tonight at midnight. Click here for the complete article on Belarus vs. Sweden Swag Off.
 Cast your vote now at the top right of this page!
 
Lisa's 2010 Winter Olympics Calendar
 
Still working on the timetable. One thing is for sure; with all there is to do during the games a person's day planner can really fill up!

Petro Canada Selects the Winning Correspondents!!!

by Lisa Ovens

Well hello again everyone! I've been off for a few days working on another project, so it's time to get back to business. First up: The Petro Canada Family Correspondents Contest....

Petro Canada's always popular fund raising glasses

Congratulations to the winning duos...the Radoslav's and the Brown Families. Their videos were selected by  the judges who I am sure had their work cut out for them. But here's a new development...Petro Canada added a third prize so another family team will be in on the action: the Van Deckers won, too!!

Kudos to Petro Canada for creating such a unique opportunity: reporting from the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver!. The three teams of families, or what I like to call "The Petro Kins" will fly to Vancouver, and while they enjoy a three night hotel package (includes tickets to three Olympic events, luxury motor coach transportation, dining in fine restaurants, and access to the Co Sport Hospitality Suite) they will also be meeting with Canadian Winter Olympic athletes and their families for interviews that will ultimately wind up on a special Youtube Channel for all to see. Plus they will keep us informed via blogging and twitter. Petro Canada is also giving each team an honorarium to the tune of $2010.00!

My Uncle Steve and I had entered the contest, too, and although we didn't win we had fun "dreaming big", and participating with families from all over Canada. I messaged my facebook friend, Denis Van Decker to congratulate, and suggest we all somehow meet up in Vancouver for a photo op so I can place it here on the 2010 and High Heels blog. I realize the Petro Kin will be on a super busy schedule, but hopefully I can catch them on their way in for the refreshments at the hotel Hospitality Suite!

Best wishes to the Winners and have a safe, happy Journey to Vancouver!

Petro Canada's I Will Dream Big Website

Finnish Reindeer Hat Mission Now Underway....

I saw my friend Michelle off at the YVR Airport this evening. She's on her way to Finland for a Hockey trip of a Lifetime. Readers may recall the reindeer hats pictured above that we saw during the Canada Hockey Cup back in August. We found out the hats were purchased at a marketplace in Helsinki. Michelle will be on the look out for the hats, and if her mission is succesful, I'll be sporting one of these adorable hats on an Olympic day when Team Canada is NOT playing!!

It's official: Lisa Ovens enters PetroCan's 2010 Family Correspondent's Contest!!

By Lisa Ovens

Okay, I am going to come right out and say it. Just get it over with...Please vote for my Video, Behind the Rings on Petro Canada's Family Correspondent Contest Facebook page. I, along with hockeyandhighheels.com's very own contributing writer and photo artist, my Uncle Skeppy, have thrown our hats into the Five Rings, and would love more than anything to be chosen as one of two family teams, working to help tell the stories of our Canadian Athletes' heros...their families. This is a brilliant contest and many thanks to Petro Canada for creating a contest that would appeal to and bring out the best of so many Canadians.

If I may continue to campaign... Uncle Steve (Skeppy) and I are from a massive family, spread out all over Canada, and at re-unions, we often go into "interview mode" to catch up with everyone. (I have over 60 first cousins...yes, you read that right, 60 first cousins!) We love our big family, and know how important it is to have a family support network like our courageous 2010 Winter Olympic athletes have.


between the two of us, Uncle Skeppy and I would have the most unique pairing of voices in this contest: He's retired from media, but for many years was an anchor on news radio and then hosted a television news show while pulling the reins as news director for a television station. His voice is as smooth as any personality out there. I, on the other hand have been likened to Megan who played Karen on Will and Grace. But a much more warmer and friendlier sounding Karen. I do have my "interview, news gal voice as well.

I could go on and on here, but will close and say this: If chosen a  Petro Canada family correspondent, I will be so honored and will do my very best to share the stories with a warm, upbeat and fun presentation to Canadians everywhere.

Wish me Luck....and please go learn more about this super cool Petro Canada 2010 Olympic contest, view the other entries and vote now....

Behind the Rings by Lisa Ovens on Petro Canada Family Correspondent Page on Facebook


Thank you all for your support!

Not Your Average 2010 Contest: Petro Canada's Family Correspondent Challenge

by Lisa Ovens

If you have ever dreamed of being a field reporter uncovering the untold stories, then this is the contest for you. And if that very dream included a favourite member of your own family, then get the cameras rolling and yell "ACTION!"

It's all in the family for Petro Canada as they search for pairs of would be reporters for an assignment of a lifetime: interview the loved ones and number one supporters of Canadian athletes competing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

All it takes is a facebook account, a twitter account and a 30 second video to enter in the Petro Canada Family Correspondent Contest. Visit Petro Canada's facebook page for all the details, including current entry videos, prize details and contest rules... Petro Canada Dream Big Vancouver 2010 contest page

All I need to do now is get my Uncle Skeppy on board and who knows, you just might see me on Youtube dishing with the kin of our Candian athletes!!

Wish me luck :o)