Winter Olympic 2010 - Men's Curling

Winter Olympic Vancouver 2010 Curling 'ticket'
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Feb. 19, 2010
Vancouver Olympic Center, near Nat Bailey Stadium. It is located in a lively Vancouver community that includes the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park and views of the local mountains.

SRABC - Coquitlam Branch members went to the Men's Curling event, Friday, February 19, 2010 with their coordinator, Margaret H. She emailed everybody about the 'free' tickets and I got one. Thanks, Margaret.

I went by Skytrain and Canada Line, arrived at the King Edward station and waited for an accessible shuttle to Vancouver Olympic Center.
All Olympic venues had a security screening process.
It's good there was a separate gate for the disabled spectators.
I was on an electric scooter.
I met Margaret's group inside. Those who were on a wheelchair and scooter spectators were on Row 1. That's good!

Men's Curling that day:
Germany vs Switzerland
Canada vs Denmark - Canada won, 10-3
France vs USA
Norway vs China

Canada won easily and the other teams were still playing, when I decided I have to go home because it's 4:00 pm and a Friday, with Olympics going on. The trains will be jam-packed with people, that's for sure.

I tried to go to the Olympic Flame near Canada Pavilion to take pictures but there lots of people everywhere.

Maybe??? when the Paralympics come in March...It will be better and calmer.

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Newly constructed Vancouver Olympic Center

Winter Olympic Vancouver 2010 logo "Inukshuk"

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"Mini-Zamboni"

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The teams, including Canada - Go Canada Go!

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A Week Before the Winter Olympics 2010

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February, 06, 2010 -
Winter Olympics 2010 will transform Vancouver into world's biggest party. If you don't have tickets (expensive) to the Olympic events, you can still enjoy 'free' celebration tents, a huge cultural festival featuring music, theater, dance performances and art exhibition (Vancouver Art Gallery - free - Leonardo Da Vinci drawings).

Downtown Vancouver is compact enough to walk around and discover each unique neighborhood. Most of street is closed during the two week of Olympic events. Everybody will be walking, anyway.
If you're lost, ask for directions and you'll likely make friends with other people who are lost, too.

If you're looking at the mountains, that's North. If you're looking at the sea, that's West.
Welcome!!!

Olympic Line

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Jan, 27, 2010
New Olympic Line Streetcar services, running between the 'Olympic Village' Canada Lines Station and Granville Island.
The new system will run 'free' for two months, through to the end of the Olympics. It runs from 6:30 am - 12:30 am (18 hours), with 'Bombardier' streetcars arriving every 6 to 10 minutes.
The streetcars (2 of them) are on loan from Belgium and are scheduled to be returned after the trial run.

Vancouver's original streetcar services was retired in 1958.
There is a chance the Vancouver's city will bring a permanent system after the Olympic Games.

It rides like a Skytrain/Canada Line. Smooth and fast, too.
The only difference: Streetcar got a driver.
I really hope that they will bring the streetcars back in Vancouver.

Inuksuit

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The mysterious stone figures known as Inuksuit can be found throughout the circumpolar world. Inukshuk, the singular of Inuksuit, means the likeness of a human, in the Inuit language.
An Inukshuk can be small or large, a single rock, several rocks balanced on each other, round boulders or flat. Built from whatever stones are at hand, each one is unique.
An Inukshuk in the form of a human being is called an Inunngnna. This type of structure forms the basis of the logo of the 2010 Winter Olympics, designed by Vancouver artist Elena Rivera McGregor. It is widely acknowledged that this design pays tribute to the Inukshuk that stands at Vancouver's English Bay, which was created by artisan Alvin Kanak of Rankin Inlet, Northwest Territories.
Friendships and the welcoming of the world are the meanings of both the English Bay structure and the 2010 Winter Olympics emblem.

January 16, 2010, I saw 'Ziggy' (European accent) making Inuksuit near Science World. I asked him, "How do you do that? Do you need glue?"
He said, "You balance the stones to make the Inukshuk. No glue needed."

Preparation for Winter Olympics and Paralimpics 2010

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The 2010 Winter Olympics return to North America on February 12, 2010, when the world of snow sport enthusiasts descend upon one of North America's most beautiful cities, Vancouver, BC. It will be hosting the events, Winter Olympics and Winter Paralimpics. 2010 Winter Olympics will start in February 12-28, 2010. Followed by Winter Paralimpics in March 12-21, 2010.
Vancouver calls above 25,000 volunteers. Meanwhile, more than 500,000 residents of the peninsular city separates the Strait of Georgia from the Coastal Mountains have endured six years of inconveniences. The Sea to Sky Highway was widened to accomodate the traffic between Vancouver and Whistler venues. Cambie Street was outfitted with the aptly named 'Canada Line,' a new underground mass transit line, from the airport to downtown Vancouver.
And, while many cities have famously undergone huge facelifts in preparation for hosting the Olympics. Vancouverites, by their nature, would rather party than pout. Thus, constructions frustration and budgetary consternation will be ancient history when the world marches into BC Place Staduim for the Opening Night Ceremony.

USNBEA Greetings

Dec. 23, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Joe Suganob (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)
"Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon 2010"

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Dec. 22, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Art Bantog (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)
"Merry Christmas and a Happy Prosperous New Year to all!"
God Bless you all now and always.
Art & Elvie (Bantog)

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Dec. 21, 2009 - From Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Wilma Morales De Guzman (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 51)

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Dec. 12, 2009 - From Fort Saint John, British Columbia, Canada
Jun Salinas, (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)

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Dec. 20, 2009 - From Seattle, Washington State, USA
Eva Abad, (Subic Bay, NSD)

"Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!"
Eva and Louie (Abad)

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Dec. 20, 2009 - From Ontario, Canada
Rene Calalang (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)
"Our best wishes to all our friends and colleagues!"

Rene, Lita & family (Calalang)

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Dec. 25, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Danny Libonao (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)

"May your holiday be filled with happy times
warm memories bright hopes
and wishes of all the joys of the season
filled with love and happiness
Again: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Danny Libonao and family

Dec. 23, 2009 - From Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines
Angelo Taliman (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)

"May you have a Merry Christmas and a very Prosperous 2010"
--from our family to yours--
Angelo, Narcisa and family (Taliman)

Dec. 21, 2009 - From Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Orly Faytone (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 38) and Elen Faytone (Subic Bay, NSD)

"May you find peace, love and joy this Christmas season
and may your New Year bring the best of your wishes"
Orlando, Elen and family (Faytone)

Dec. 20, 2009 - From Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Carlos, Amy Porciuncula, (Subic Bay SRF - Shop 31)

"Wishing everyone happiness, good health, peace and
a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!"
Carlos, Amy and family (Porciuncula)

Dec. 20, 2009 - From Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Arnold Sr. (Subic Bay, SRF-Shop 31)

"Merry Christmas"
'Wishing everyone a very Happy Holidays!!!
Filled with special moments to share together.'
Arnold Sr, Dory, Arnold Jr (Aquino)

Dec. 18, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Frank Tomelden, (Subic Bay, SRF-Shop 31)

Greetings To All!!!
Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for a New Year 2010!

Wishing you and your family a "Merry Christmas"
Have a nice one and take care.
Frank, Sony and family (Tomelden)

Templeton's Christmas Dinner 2009

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December 5, 2009
Almost a tradition now, Templeton Stroke Recovery held an awesome 'Christmas dinner' on December 5, 2009. After the sumptous and generous helping dinner, the raffles was held. It was excellent and many guests wanted to join the fun, especially the 'Pop-a-Balloon' raffle. The skit, which was the entertainment (Templeton members), was so surprising and the best ever. Templeton's members and volunteers was outstanding and they wish everyone a 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. '