About New Westminster...

by Lisa Ovens

I was born in New Westminster so seeing the Olympic Flame here was a must. My mom Stella lived here when she passed away in July. This is my first Olympics with her as my heavenly angel. She was a terrific sports fan, and I hope she was watching the running of the torch with me.

New Westminster is the oldest city in Western Canada (1859), and the first capital of British Columbia. Nicknamed the Royal City, there is definitely a little tast of Britian here. And what apears to be a thriving wedding industry as well. But first the Brits.

A few weeks ago I pointed out a fish and chip place in Steveston, and today I will point out a fab place for battered cod and halibut: The Cockney Kings. After spending the day at the Surrey Olympic Celebration site you might consider a casual lunch or dinner of delicious F&C on your way back to the city.  Get off the train at New West train station and walk about three minutes to the new plaza where the Kings have moved. (right by the IGA Plaza at Tenth.) Click here for reviews.

Historic Columbia Street is home to numerous bridal shops, tuxedo stores and other wedding related boutiques. Check out this display which is in the spirit of Canada hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics....It's like a Go Canada GO cheer...if the cheer was a bridesmaid dress.

The rest of the street was also decked out in red and white, and I saw Army & Navy has a good selection of Canada gear for sale in the window. Army & Navy is a Vancouver institution (there is also one on East Hastings Street) as far as discount stores go, and their yearly shoe sale is legendary.

Columbia Street has diagonal parking...just like main streets in so many other smaller towns. It also has a good amount of old buildings, well, old by Canada standards. Remember we are only 124 years old :o)

The walk along the waterfront heading to New Westminster Quay is lovely. More new condos and trendy studio/loft- like developments are dotting the downtown/ water front core, as people look to New West as a more affordable option for home buying in the lower mainland.

Queens Park (a popular spot for weddings) hosted several thousand Olympic enthusiasts Tuesday as they welcomed the Flame to New Westminster. It's the biggest park in New West, and a really beauty, too.

For more city information, please visit http://www.newwestcity.ca/

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