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Here is the very latest from Translink’s Drew Snider:

Due to the police investigation, Coquitlam Station bus loop is currently CLOSED. Buses are currently boarding:

  *   at temporary bus stops on southbound Lougheed Highway
  *   at temporary stops on eastbound Barnet Highway
  *   Community Shuttles are boarding on northbound Pinetree
  *   the park and ride is currently closed — we’ll let you know if it reopens\
  *   West Coast Express foot passengers may access the station but the kiss-and-ride area is also closed, so they’ll have to walk in from the road.

 More information to come…

TransLink services over Christmas and New Year’s

Extended late-night service and free rides on Dec. 31

Enhanced service for post-Christmas shoppers and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve are two of the special transit services being offered over the Christmas/New Year’s season this year.

Friday, Dec. 23 – regular schedule on all modes except West Coast Express. Afternoon trains will leave Waterfront Station at 1, 3, 4:20, 5:30 and 6:20 p.m. and the 12:55 TrainBus is cancelled.

Saturday, Dec. 24 – all modes will run their normal Saturday schedules, although SkyTrain will provide enhanced service on the Expo/Millennium Lines for the last-minute shopping rush.

Christmas Day – since that is a Sunday, all modes will run the Sunday/Holiday schedule, although some bus routes will adjust their schedules to reflect historic Christmas Day travel patterns. You can check the TransLink Trip Planner or find a list of individual routes at http://www.translink.ca/~/media/documents/schedules_and_maps/holiday_svc/christmas%20day%20schedule%20adjustments.ashx

Boxing Day (Monday, Dec. 26) – since this is a statutory holiday, you only need a one-zone ticket for travel through all three zones.

Buses – will run on the Sunday/Holiday schedule but with enhanced service on routes serving major shopping areas.

SkyTrain – will run the Saturday morning start-and-finish times – first train leaving King George Station at 6:08 a.m., last train leaving Waterfront at 1:16 a.m. – but will run additional trains at midday to accommodate shoppers.

SeaBus – will run on the Sunday/Holiday schedule, but will extend service so that the last ferry leaves Lonsdale Quay at 1 a.m. and Waterfront at 1:22 a.m. Buses will run additional trips to meet the last SeaBus and SkyTrain trips.

West Coast Express will not run Monday, Dec. 26 or Tuesday, Dec. 27. Normal service will resume Wednesday, Dec. 28

Tuesday, Dec. 27-Friday, Dec. 30 – normal service on all modes except West Coast Express (as noted above).

Saturday, Dec. 31 – TRANSIT SERVICE IS FREE from 5 p.m. until the close of service

Buses – will run on the Saturday schedule, but extend late-night service on certain routes. Details of those service extensions can be found at http://www.translink.ca/~/media/documents/schedules_and_maps/holiday_svc/new%20years%20eve%20additional%20bus%20service.ashx

SkyTrain and SeaBus – will run on the Saturday schedule, but will extend service one hour, so the last SkyTrain leaves Waterfront at 2:05 a.m. (Canada Line to YVR-Airport), 2:15 a.m. (to Richmond-Brighouse) and 2:16 a.m. (Expo/Millennium Lines) and the last SeaBus leaves Lonsdale Quay at 2:06 a.m. and Waterfront at 2:20 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 1 – ALL SERVICE WILL RUN ON THE SUNDAY/HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Monday, Jan. 2 – ALL SERVICE WILL RUN ON THE USUAL WEEKDAY SCHEDULE except West Coast Express, which will not run that day at all.

Tuesday, Jan. 3 – all service will return to the normal weekday schedule.

This information is subject to change, so people should check the TransLink Trip Planner at www.translink.ca for up-to-date schedules.

We should remind people that West Coast Express will run the second of its two Santa Trains on Saturday, Dec. 17, leaving Mission at 10 a.m. and returning from Waterfront at 5 p.m. The price for a return ticket is one new, unwrapped toy, to be donated to the Christmas bureaux in the communities served by West Coast Express.

 I LOVE supporting local talent where I can, and one of my favourite local designers is Malene Grotrian

As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently sang for her Fall Fashion show, but I first met her when I modelled her fashions for Glam Gala Give supporting the fight against Ovarian Cancer. I was also thrilled that Malene offered to dress not only myself, but also the rest of Dal\’s Gals when we performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchesra last summer.

Even the First Lady, Michelle Obama is a fan!

Dawn

Not only a great tune by Ella Fitzgerald  but also a valid question!

I know here in the Lower Mainland we have the reputation for deciding things last minute, but it’s not too early to start thinking about it!

At almost 94 years old, the fabulous Dal Richards Orchestra is performing again at the River Rock Casino and Resort in Richmond and I am THRILLED to join him as we ring in 2012!

Dal with his Gals! Jennifer Hayes and myself

You can order your tickets through Ticketmaster - hope to see you there!

Dawn

 I recently had the pleasure of doing the live-eye from The Umbrella Shop - Great quality umbrella for certain, but I really loved that they have been around since 1935 and the family story behind it – check out their story on their website.

The brolly’s are beautiful and if you can’t find something you love (I can’t imagine this will be a problem…they can custom design something. They are true artists and the Owner Correy  (3rd Generation Umbrella Maker) is one of the loveliest and most passionate people I have ever met. It’s worth going there just to meet her.

Just one of the things I am loving right now and you’ll need it today!,

Dawn

One of the great things about my job on BT, is I have the opportunity to test drive many things – from beauty products to restaurants! So, starting today…I am going to offer my “Friday Fave” – something that I have tried and love enough to tell you about! Not every “thing” is for “everyone” …but I’ll feature something every Friday, just in case you are interested!

I had the opportunity to try them out courtesy of  Noir Lash Lounge as they were working with the models for the  Malene Grotrian Fall Fashion Show and since I would be singing at the show, they thought they’d let me experience them for myself. 

 I will admit…I NEVER thought I would ever buy into the whole lash extension thing, but after trying them out, I am a huge fan!

They require a bit of care, but it really is just a matter of getting used to it. And now on the weekends, I don’t even wear eye makeup at all and my eyes still pop! They last me about 3-4 weeks before I need a fill (kind of like gel nail maintenance) and you can even nap while it’s being done!

 For details, check out Noir Lash Lounge.

Just one of the things I am loving right now,

Dawn

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Here’s your chance to meet Bestselling Wine Author Natalie MacLean in Vancouver or the Okanagan for the Launch of her New Book! Named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World food Media Awards, the Canadian journalist and sommelier Natalie is just back from a whirlwind trip to uncover the world’s best bargain wines and share them with you.

Join Natalie MacLean for an unforgettable evening of wine, laughter and story-telling to celebrate the launch of her second wine book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines. You have 2 options to meet Natalie!

 
Okanagan/Kelowna November 8

B.C.  Wine Museum
Wine tasting with appetizers
Tickets: Mosaic Books 250-763-4418 or the Museum
click HERE for more information
Vancouver November 21

Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
Tasting of a number of wine and cheese pairings
click HERE for more information

Space is limited for these exclusive BC events. Reserve your tickets now. Your ticket price includes a personally signed copy of Natalie’s new book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wine plus a wine tasting.

For more information about the book and an amusing video trailer about it, please visit the  Natalie MacLean Website

Dawn

Once in a while, we all need a good cry. Maybe the men can understand, maybe not – but I KNOW the ladies know what I am talking about.

Sometimes, I’ll watch a certain movie knowing it will offer me that release. For me (don’t laugh) it’s the Anne of Green Gables mini-series starring Megan Follows.

Anne...with an "E"

Songs can do that too and you don’t have to invest hours of your time to get there. My “first” crying song was Luba’s “Everytime I See Your Picture I Cry” after my first serious boyfriend (at the age of 18) told me he was moving away. I rewinded that cassette tape over and over (yes, showing my age – lol)

Here’s my recommendation if you are in the market for a crying song. There are 3 versions to choose from and I have conveniently placed them in order of the severity of the emotional release so choose your dosage carefully!

SONG PRESCRIPTION TO MAKE YOU CRY: “A Case of You”

To “put a lump in your throat” if for no other reason than her sheer songwriting genius,  the Original Joni Mitchell Version. One of this countries greatest poets. No wonder people re-record her songs.

To make your eyes water if you are emotional - tears will fall if you are slightly “down” - the James Blake Version - I heard the other night on Parenthood. Hearing it again reminded me of what a great song this is.

And finally, “Turn out the lights, cause no one needs to see your “Ugly Cry”-the Diana Krall Version from “Live in Paris” . Not only is this haunting, but you can hear the emotion in her voice, and it can’t help but bring it out in you. Possibly one of the most “honest” recordings/ arrangements I have ever heard from her.

So there you have it, listen and repeat as needed until you feel better…feel free to share the “Songs that Make You Cry” by commenting on this page…sometimes, it’s nice to have a play list on hand – just in case.

Dawn

I apologize for the title, I just couldn’t resist….Counting cars continues today on the Alex Fraser and Queensborough Bridges…expect lengthy delays….here is the latest from Translink.

traffic counting team will be stationed on the Queensborough and Alex Fraser Bridges on Tuesday, Oct. 25. They will be manually counting the number and types of vehicles passing a given point, along with the number of persons in each vehicle.

The counting will take place from 6 a.m. and continue into the evening.

Future counting locations will be at:

            Oct. 26                        Oak St. Bridge; Westminster Hwy west of No. 8 Rd.; Hwy 1 east of Taylor Way (North Vancouver)

            Oct. 27                        Arthur Laing Bridge

            Oct. 28                        Marine Drive, east of Taylor Way (West Vancouver)

These manual counts are part of TransLink’s Screenline survey, which is taken every few years to plot the movements of vehicles throughout Metro Vancouver and provide a picture of road use. This information is invaluable for planners, as they develop an efficient integrated transportation system that makes most efficient use possible of public resources.

Counters wear high-visibility garments, and while they take every effort not to impede the flow of traffic, drivers should be aware of their locations so they do not present a visual distraction. TransLink apologizes for any inconvenience.

I recently received this press release about a way you could combine fashion AND philanthropy…