Nuba Restaurant in the Dominion Building

On Wednesday, May 11, we were in a group of 13 people who went for dinner at the Nuba Restaurant, 207B West Hastings Street, Vancouver, just north of Victory Square, to celebrate a birthday.  Nuba Restaurant specializes in authentic Lebanese cuisine, and is located in the basement of the historic Dominion Building, located to the west of the Woodward’s redevelopment.  See Nuba’s website:  www.nuba.ca

Groups over 8 are required to have a set menu.  This turned out to be a fabulous way to taste so many dishes.  The group menu was made up of seven cold starters, five hot starters and your choice of five different main courses.

Here is the menu for the Cold and Hot Starters:

Everything was beautifully presented and delicious.  The hummus was so smooth it was like mousse, as was the baba ghanooj.  The pita bread was thin and baked to perfection. 

Here are pictures we took at the table of two hot starters, first the Najib’s Special – crispy cauliflower with lemon juice and sea salt.  It was outstanding, almost to die for, but then you have to know that cauliflower is my favourite veggie. 

The second picture is of the Mjadra – organic green lentils with rice, topped with crispy onions – oh so good!

Here is the group menu for the main course (you are to choose one). 

I chose the Chicken Tawook skewer as my main course, and it was spiced and grilled very well.

I highly recommend Nuba Restaurant for its food and good service.  I prefer to go to this restaurant during the day, or when the evening hours are still light out, because the neighbourhood is filled with characters that you may not wish to run into at dusk or at night time.

The Nuba Restaurant is located in the basement level of the historic Dominion Building. 

In today's Vancouver Sun newspaper, there is an article "Our 10 Favourite Haunts" because it is Friday the 13th today.  The information comes from Lorne Richard, director of operations at Vancouver Trolley Tours, which conducts tours of local sites of murders and hauntings.  This is what was said about the Dominion Building:

"Opened in 1909, this 13-storey building was once the tallest in the British Empire, and Vancouver's first steel-framed highrise.  It's now headquarters to many of the city's young creative professionals who enjoy its well-maintained heritage character and affordable rent.  A building of this stature deserved the big grand opening celebration it received.  Sadly the party was cut short for its architect, John S. Helyer.  It is said he either threw himself or fell down the stairs, and was killed.  Since then, his spirt has been seen - and his footsteps heard - in the stairway between the seventh and eights floors."

For more information see Ghosts of Old Vancouver.

Nephew Teddy Turns 18!

Teddy, our youngest nephew on my side of the family, turns 18 today!  Here are some early pictures (forgive me Teddy):

Teddy - December, 1994 on his rocking horse

Teddy's Second Birthday - May 11, 1995

He sure knows what to do with those candles!

L to r:  Mom holding her three grandsons: Teddy, Chris & Sam

at Linda & Shelly's wedding on January 12, 1997

and here is a more recent picture:

L - R: Teddy & his brother, Sam.  Aren't they handsome!

Teddy is an avid soccer player, having played from an early age.  This year he has been on both the Kerrisdale Gold soccer team and the West Point Grey Academy school varsity soccer team:

We are delighted that Teddy has just been accepted for admission into the Applied Sciences Faculty at UBC, starting this September.

Kerry & Roger's Anniversary

Today is Roger and Kerry’s wedding anniversary.  They were married on May 10, 1969 with lots of friends and family in attendance.  

Kerry and I recently had a discussion about the TV program “Say Yes to the Dress”, which features brides shopping for their important wedding dress at KleinfeldBridal, which carries the largest selection of couture wedding dresses, designer exclusives, headpieces and veils.  Today’s brides are eager to spend big dollars to look like princesses on their wedding day:  $2,500 up to $30,000 and above!  On the program, brides try on dress after dress, modelling them for their mothers, mother-in-laws to be, bridesmaids, and sometimes the groom.  It is a big production.

Kerry and I laugh about our wedding dresses which in each case ended up being the first ones we tried on and only cost $100.  Consumerism has pushed wedding costs over the top – big, fancy receptions too, with huge, cascading table centrepieces, organza overlay tablecloths, chair skirts, lots of food, and then at midnight, sometimes hot dogs and ice cream.  All this is part of the American dream I guess.   

Here are some pictures from Kerry and Roger’s wedding day. Kerry’s bridesmaids were Marnie (her sister-in-law to be at that time), Janice and Donna (me). 

Kerry & Roger leaving the church

On the front steps of the church.

Bridesmaids from the top: Marnie, Janice and Donna.

Cutting the wedding cake.

First Dance with Bridal Party Joining In

L - R:  Marsh, Janice, Don & Donna

Sam in Paris

As I reported early, our nephew, Sam is studying in Paris at SciencesPo for the September 2010 to May 2011 term, on exchange from UBC.  His brother, Teddy, and mother, Gina, visited him a few weeks ago.  Here is a picture taken by Teddy of Sam in the Rodin Museum gardens during that visit:

Sam has a new camera and is really enjoying experimenting with it.  See the pictures on Sam's Blog.

La Conner Tulip Festival

La Conner, WA is holding its 48th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival from April 1 - 30, 2011.  Visit its website for more details.

Here are some pictures taken by friends of ours who visited La Conner this past weekend - just gorgeous.  Must make a note to go next year - have never been and it is just a short drive south of the Canada-US border.

Vancouver College Production of "Grease"

This past week Neil and I and other family attended the production of the musical "Grease" by Vancouver College (in cooperation with Little Flower Academy,Crofton House, York House and West Point Grey Academy). Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

We absolutely loved it - what a fantastic performance!  The story behind this musical is based in 1959 when American Bandstand, Elvis Presley and rock and roll were very big.  Think of Sandra Dee, Bobbie Darin, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka days.  The students were cast, live band, some set construction and stage crew.  They displayed over-the-top energy, enthusaism, great singing, acting and dance choreography.  We were thoroughly entertained.  Here is one page from the program for this event showing some of the actors:

And of course, we attended this fabulous event because Neil's great nephew, Dylan, was MC of the Pre-Show Songs (where he did an Elvis imitation, singing Hound Dog), and also appeared in the musical as "Johnny Casino" in his gold lame suit.  Here's Dylan!

and another picture of Dylan:

Remembering My Brother, Bruce

Bruce was born on December 13, 1952, the third of four children for Bob and Dorothy, and died on April 11, 1974 from complications from Crohn's Disease. He was just 21 years old.   He had an outgoing, social personality and his death left a void in our lives.

Here are some memories of Bruce:

Formal Studio Portrait taken in 1959 of the brothers, Bruce (left) and Ken (right):

Next one is taken in August, 1962 at the home of our aunt and uncle, Vivian and Charlie, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  Our family had driven to Yorkton by car, camping enroute.

Bruce absolutely loved the game of chess and was very good at it, placing quite high up in junior championships.  This picture is from 1969.

And this is his high school graduation picture from June, 1971.

Bruce was also very active in DeMolay, and was Master Councillor of Beaver Chapter in Vancouver.  We miss you Bruce and would have loved to have had you a part of our adult lives.

Flamenco Rosario

Last night Neil and I attended a fundraiser which included as the feature entertainment, a dance series by "Flamenco Rosario".  Very spirited and sensual dancing.  Everyone loved it!

The mandate of Flamenco Rosario, which is based in Metro Vancouver, is to develop artists as well as dance and music works in the style and tradition of flamenco.  See its website for details.

There are also some excellent videos on YouTube of their various troops performing.

Vimy Ridge Day - April 9

One of the greatest battles in Canadian history was the battle at Vimy Ridge in France, which began on 9 April 1917. Canadian bravery and valour led to the tremendous victory for the entire Allied Force and was considered the turning point of WWI.  For more details, see the "History by the Minute" website.  A huge monument was built by the Canadian Government at the top of Vimy Ridge to commemorate this battle, which was opened by the then Prince of Wales in 1936.

Neil and I had journeyed to Vimy Ridge on April 9, 2007 for the 90th Anniversary celebrations, with our long time friends, Kerry and Roger (retired Canadian miliary). The Canadian Government spent several years restoring the momument, which had been decaying, and on this day, there was a huge re-dedication ceremony of the newly restored monument.  We attended the re-dedication ceremony as part of our two week "WWI and WWII Battlefields Tour" lead by Canadian military historian, Ted Barris, author of "Victory at Vimy".  Here is Ted addressing our group on April 9, 2007 at the Vimy Ridge memorial.

Ted Barris

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mrs. Harper, Queen Elizabeth II and the President of France were special guests at the moving re-dedication ceremony at which the restored Vimy Ridge monument was unveiled. 

Mrs. Harper & Prime Minister Harper (Govt Canada photo)

Arrival of Queen Elizabeth II - I got this close to  her.

French jets flying over the monument in a special salute (Govt Canada photo)

Queen Elizabeth II re-dedicating the monument (Govt Canada photo)

There were approximately 5,000 Canadian high school students in attendance at the re-dedication ceremony for the Vimy Ridge Memorial from all across Canada, each representing one of the soldiers who fought at Vimy Ridge.  That soldier's name is on their shirt.

Canadian High School Students (Govt Canada photo)

Huge Crowd at the Re-Dedication Ceremony

Very impressive monument

Govt  Canada photo

There were over 25,000 people in attendance - it was a very moving day.

Barbara Weaver-Bosson, Award Winning Canadian Artist

We received a thank you card from our nephew Chris, featuring this beautiful painting by Barbara Weaver-Bosson, entitled "View from Clover Point" (Towards Dallas Road Bluffs).  This is part of her Victoria Neighbourhood Series of paintings.

The description on the back of this card indicates this view includes many of the character homes along Dallas Road in Victoria, and that Clover Point and Dallas Road Bluffs is a very popular seaside area for jogging, walking the dog, flying a kite, riding a bike or spending a leisurely day wandering along the beach.

This painting is available as a print for purchase.  For information and to find out more about Barbara Weater-Bosson and her Victoria Neighbouhood Series limited edition prints, visit her website.