Surrey's own Folk / Rock septet Good For Grapes has released a brand new music video for "Show Me The Ropes", the title track off of their sophomore record "The Ropes". Tommy Lee, co-director of the band’s previous "Skipping Stone", and “Renminbi Tips" videos, returned for a third time to lend his quirky, story-telling style to their music. Show Me The Ropes follows a young Lara Thomas interacting with her future self as she faces the struggle of choosing her future. Actors Meghan Dubé, Danielle Klaudt, and Ava Vinet all play Lara during different stages in her life. The video was released via CBC Music's “Songs You Need To Hear” feature on January 5th. This release comes just over a year after Good For Grapes took the top prize in the "Peak Performance Project" hosted by Vancouver radio station "102.7 The Peak", and "Music BC". See more posts about Good...

New Westminster River Market - Photo Credit: rivermarket.ca The River Market in New Westminster is known for a variety of culinary delights, and specialty foods, and restaurants. There are always an abundance of food choices at the market whether that is shopping for local ingredients at Donald’s Market for a delicious Sunday dinner to picking up specialty items to try from the many food vendors. All this food amidst the backdrop of the Fraser River waterfront. Sounds like a fun food experience, right? VIDEO: A New Westminster River Market Shopping Experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4mYVv2CMlM In addition to the fabulous food finds, there are a variety of retailers who share the market space. Recently we were invited to do some holiday shopping for an opportunity to discover some of these retail shops. First stop: The Paddlewheeler Liquor Store. My mission was to find something new in a local red wine. Drew gave me...

Since I became pregnant I’ve been getting a lot of advice on just about every topic such as: what to wear, what to eat, how to sleep, bathe and exercise. It’s all about sharing information and knowing what your options are, of course. I appreciate all the pieces of advice from the women and men in my life and their stories of what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to a new little one. One of the most pertinent discussions has been centred around the question of What to buy for baby?! So I am going to tackle one of the most important purchases you will make: The Stroller. Batman stroller, anyone? Let me say that I had no idea what I was getting into when I started researching stroller brands and models online. Three tips that might make the start of your search easier: Decide on your...

WATCH: Mother's Day High Chai Event in Surrey We had the pleasure of taking part and sponsoring the first ever Mother's Day High Chai event in Surrey at the Royal King Banquet Hall. There was a line up to get in on time at noon. Mothers, grandmothers, daughters, aunties were all dressed up for this special event. It was also great to see men at the event escorting their loved ones. Upon entering, each lovely lady was given a rose and provided an opportunity to take a photo against the High Chai backdrop. Violinist on Stilts, Alli Rice. Photo by Neelu's Clicks. The entryway was filled with the breathtaking presence and beautiful violin music played on stilts by Alli Rice. Fashion and tasty treat vendors lined the foyer leading a path to the ballroom. It was a great way to get to know some of the local products and services...

New Westminster’s historic Columbia Theatre will be home to the first #StandUp4FSHD fundraiser. The event will be held July 19th, 2014 starting at 6 pm with a warm welcome from New Westminster’s Mixed Company, a barbershop quartet. The laughs begin at 7 pm featuring Vancouver-based comedian Carter Hortie, famous for satirical social commentary; and California native Dino Archie, who has been a familiar face in the Vancouver comedy scene for the last 11 years. Net proceeds raised at this inaugural event will go directly to fund research for FSH Muscular Dystrophy. FSHD Canada is the Canadian non-profit dedicated to funding research targeted specifically for FSH Muscular Dystrophy, the most prevalent of the nine muscular dystrophies. “We are looking forward to a successful event in New Westminster,” says Neil Camarta, founder & CEO of FSHD Canada. “Funding for FSHD is largely done through grassroots efforts of individuals who are impacted by FSH. It is...

Many of us make promises to ourselves  that we will take better care of bodies, make healthier choices, be more diligent with exercise or perhaps just make some kind of positive change that will benefit us in life. Achieving balance is something I am constantly striving for with the daily choices I make. Whether it is the choice to work late, not exercise, collapse like a lump on the couch for the evening or the choice to clean the house, get some errands done and make a nutritious meal. However, sometimes we are provided with the gift of balance that comes in a way that we don’t always expect. I grew up eating fabulous homemade meals (Indian and Western) thanks to my talented mother. I grew up with the understanding that yes you could eat a meal without meat and feel satisfied and healthy. As a kid, I loved a...

  Attend and learn about Surrey’s Welcoming Inclusive Communities “Dialogues Inspired by Cooking and Food” project to be held as follows: Date: A series of 6 sessions: October 10, October 28, November 5, November 25, January 28, and February 12 Agenda: 6pm-9pm Location: Guildford Park Secondary School Kitchen (10707 146 Street, Surrey) A first of its kind in Surrey, the Dialogues Inspired by Cooking and Food project offers six free, interactive cooking classes led by culinary experts. Participants will create delicious, nutritious, international foods, while learning about the origins of ingredients, recipes, preparation traditions and the histories of the people who created them. Through sharing of food from around the world and group dialogue, participants will explore their role in making Surrey a welcoming and inclusive community. For more information on “Dialogues Inspired by Cooking and Food” and other Surrey Welcoming Inclusive Communities projects visit the Surrey Welcoming Communities Project....

Who remembers the Hanson brothers? Taylor, Zac, and Isaac (yes, I know their  names) are coming to Vancouver! They have kicked off their Anthem World Tour and will be playing at the Vogue on Oct 2nd. In partnership with the Vogue and Northern Tickets, we're happy to provide a lucky music fan with a pair of tickets to their concert on Oct 2nd. Doors open at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm. The opening act is Ryan Harris. Check out Hanson's debut single from Anthem, 'Get the Girl Back'. For more details about the concert follow the link to Northern Tickets. To enter to win a pair of tickets to Hanson at the Vogue. 1 entry allowed for each way to win: 1. Leave a comment on this post & let us know why you want to see Hanson. 2. Post on Twitter:   RT to Win #Hanson tickets...

September 27th will be a proud day for Surrey sport! The Surrey Eagles Junior Hockey Club are proud to announce that on September 27, 2013, they will be hosting a special banner unveiling ceremony honouring the 2012/13 season – the most successful in the recent 21 year history of the franchise. Garrett James Photography Garrett James Photography After the banner raising the Eagles will face off with league rivals, the Vernon Vipers. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7pm at the South Surrey Arena. The Surrey Eagles are coming off the most successful season in recent history of the franchise. They are the defending BCHL Champions and Western Canadian Cup champions, as well as RBC Cup Semi Finalists. In celebration of these recent successes, the banners being raised on the 27th are: BCHL Coastal Conference Champions, BCHL League Champions, and for the first time ever, the inaugural Western Canadian Cup...

Creatively Utilize Your Best Energy. How can you strategically achieve your life’s most meaningful goals and effectively address challenges and/or obstacles? Energy. Where do you find it? How does it change over time and space? How do you tap into your creativity while maintaining balance in your work and personal life? How do you plan to achieve the results you desire? (Marco Pasqua of Creatively Utilize Your Best Energy) We all ask ourselves these questions at certain times in life. Positive and negative life changes can be daunting experiences and the way we perceive and react to them are powerful. Change is often stressful no matter what form it arrives in at your door. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Marco Pasqua to talk about life, change, challenge and motivation. Marco is a long-time resident of Surrey, BC and inspirational speaker. He shares his ideas and motivates...

It's been a beautiful Summer season in Surrey, BC. We've all been enjoying walks in our neighbourhoods and so have our furry friends! So why not do a special walk this season to support the many animals in need that the BC SPCA supports throughout our communities? Surrey604 is proud to be the official Social Media Sponsor for the Surrey 2013 Paws for a Cause walk. Photo: BC SPCA This summer encourage your friends, family and others to donate and join Paws for a Cause to fundraise for the 29 000 animals that the BC SPCA helps each year. You'll get a chance to walk in support of the animals on event day and meet other animal supporters.  You can participate on a team with family, friends, and/or co-workers or you can register as an individual. It's a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the weather and support an important cause....

The Village Surrey Transition Initiative presents a free public screening of “Mad City Chickens” on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Free organic eggs will be given away while supplies last! The screening takes place at the Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive, in the Dr. Ambedkar Room, 4th Floor. Doors open at 6:00pm, screening starts at 6:30pm. The screening will be followed by a community dialogue on backyard chickens, food security and sustainability. Participants will also have a chance to meet members of the Surrey Backyard Chickens group and ask questions about backyard chickens in Surrey.  Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad professor and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through...

Surrey's Annual Earth Day Celebration, Party For The Planet 2013 Another Great Success! On Saturday, April 27th Central City Plaza was transformed to "party central" for Party for the Planet for Earth Day.  It was a day of pure excitement and activities for the whole family. It was great to see the community out for an event that educates and encourages us to be environmentally conscious. Nature play hosted by the Surrey Nature Centre. From Surrey and beyond, people came to take part in the day even though it started off  a little rainy and wet! I had a chance to talk to the Clarke family who came all the way from Mission to watch the musical acts and participate in the activities. We all enjoyed being out and about meeting some new people and talking about the music, activities and the informational booths. As we strolled around visiting the...

The adventure in Music, Dance and Community-Building continues May 30 – June 8th. The Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration (VIBC) Society is thrilled to once again host the HSBC City of Bhangra Festival this spring, allowing the organization to build community for all through the celebration and joy of Bhangra. VIBC is also pleased to welcome back HSBC Bank Canada as the event’s title sponsor. This spring marks the ninth year the VIBC has held the festival. Highlights of the 2013 Festival: • One of the Festival’s favourite intercultural mash-up events, rePercussion, will be presented in both Surrey and Vancouver this year • Presenting artists from the UK who have never performed here before • 20 hours of free programming • Partnering with Surrey Art Gallery and with Music on Main • Opportunities for international and local artists and fans to meet and exchange ideas The HSBC City of Bhangra Festival...

On Saturday afternoon, the City Centre Public Library hosted Imagine Surrey - a public forum designed to discover a liveable and sustainable downtown Surrey and discuss the City's developments.  City and urban experts spoke about downtown development projects, rapid transit, the new City Hall,  and urban renewal in our city. The guest speakers of the day were: Gordon Price, Director of the City Program at SFU; Aubrey Kelly from the Surrey City Development Corporation; Don Luymes, Manager Community Planning Division for the City of Surrey; and Michael McDonald from Kasian Architecture. Upon entering the library, we were greeted by the Imagine Surrey registration desk where they invited us to create a name tag and introduced us to the "Saying Hi" program. The purpose of the 'Saying Hi' program is to create connections by simply saying hello to someone you don't know. I really enjoyed exchanging hellos with some new people -...