If you are looking for a fun and easy bike ride, then the central valley greenway from downtown Vancouver to New Westminster might be just right for you.  This 29 km trail is a couple of hours of easy cruising which is very easy to follow and well marked.  If you want to take your time along the way there can be some great stops including Trout Lake Park, The East Van Sign, Deer Lake Park and New Westminster Quay.  And if you are too tired to ride bike it's easy to catch the skytrian back to where you started.  A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

You think Real Estate is expensive in Vancouver - here is a list of the world's most expensive homes - some worth over a billion dollars.  Could you use not 1 but 3 helipads and six floors dedicated to parking?  How abouat 29 bedrooms and 39  bathrooms - is that enough room for your summer visitors?  To convert there values to Canadian dollars multiply by 1.61.  Could you live in any of these homes?  If so which one?

The 2nd annual installment of the CBC Music Festival returns to Deer Lake Park on June 14 where you can go and see some great home grown Canadian music.

Some of the headliners include Vancouver's Dan Mangan and the very popular pop due, Tegan and Sara.

The live action will begin at 1pm and will also include some exceptional talent from the overlooked corners of the country.

Whoa - we have just some great talent in this country!!

Yes, The fabulaous fun filled Khatsahlano Block Party is once again almost upon us.  This celebration has grown a bit every year and this year we will experience no less than 12 stages, featuring 50 different musical acts and approximately 40 different food carts.

One of the headliners will be the original members of Vancouver's very own pioneering band, 'The Poppy Famiily' and the 90's jangle-rock band 'The Grapes of Wrath'. 

There will also be a stage devoted to the 12 finalists of this years annual competition - The Peak Performance Project.

It will all take place on 4th Ave from Burrard to Macdonald from 11am to 9pm and will also include an outdoor art exhibition, street performers and beer gardens.  Should be a blast as usual!!

A litlle ticket booth that has been tucked away for years, 'Tickets Tonight' offer some of the best deals on concerts, theartre, musicals and comedy in Vancouver.  Located just inside the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre on Burrard, check out the areas only outlet for half price, day of ticket sales.

This much loved, well kept secret offers some of the city's hottest performances at bargain prices. The twist is that these tickets must be purchased in person on the day of the event by 4 pm - no booking online or by phone.  But as they say, for bargain hunters this is part of the excitement. 

Remy Scalza in Green City just recently hiked a brand new alternative, The Sea to Summit Trail,  with similar views to 'The Chief' with much smaller crowds.  It begins at Shannon Falls at the base of the mountain then climbs for about 9 km. which takes approximately 4 hours before reaching the brand new 'Sea to Sky Gondola' facility at the summit.

Here is a beautiful photo essay of what Remy took this past weekend along the way. Enjoy! 

I happened to be in Yaletown for an appointment just recently when I noticed that a one block stretch of Mainland just as you get off the skytrain was been blocked off to traffic and booths were being set up.  When I returned from my appointment that whole block was in full out 'Farmers Market' mode.  There were dozens of vendors selling organic produce, meats & fish, and baked goods to the approx. 2500-4000 shoppers each Thursday from 2 to 6pm.

You will find many yummy specialty items such as organic herbs and homemade sausages where live music and free samples add to the ambiance.

The Yaletown Farmers Market  is held on Mainland Street between Davie and Helmcken Streets on Thursdays, from 2 p.m.-6 p.m., during the May 1-Oct. 2 season.

If you are tiring of walking in single file along a busy trail or queuing up for a turn to cross a suspension bridge then you might love this hike to  Norvan Falls at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Remy Scalza a local Vancouver jounalist / photographer, who I follow regularly,  writes about  his experience along the 12 KM  roundtrip last weekend. His description of this jaunt is beautiful, as his spells his journey in a clear step by step format.  Sounds like a wonderful hike that I look forward to trying soon. Read more and admire Remy's photo's in Green City.

Back by popular demand after a very successful debut last year, WOMAN2WARRIOR will take place on May 25th at Burnaby's Central Park and Swangard Stadium.  This untimed 5 KM women's only run tackles trails, track and grass featuring a dozen obstacles to test strength, agiliity and balance and  will create an environment that encourages its participants to try new things, take risks in a safe and supportive setting and have fun.  A tremendous charity race which helps raise funds to send over 900 kids and young adults with disabilities to one of three Easter Seal camps in B.C.   Registration is only $35 at www.woman2warrior.ca   Have Fun!!

It seems that where  ever you look nowadays you can't get away from the Superhero craze. With the Avengers doing a billion dollars at the box office and the huge success of Thor and the Iron Man Series, as well as Batman and Spiderman - it seems that Hollywood has gone comic book crazy.

The University of Briitsh Columbia's latest issue of their quarterly 'Film Journal' take a serious look at The Superhero Film.  It features 5 interesting articles including an interesting story of how and why Marvel has outpaced its chief competitor, DC, in the superhero movie sweepstakes.

You can find copies of Cinephile at a number of Vancouver Bookstores   For more - check out this informatiive article by Shawn Conner.

Did you even know that underground dining existed in Vancouver?   Apparently back in the day you would have to know somebody to gain entree into one of the exlusuve eatery's.  Many would operate secrectly out of somebody's home or apartment and locations were kept carefully hidden and a series of clues would eventually lead you to your dinner destination.

Today, many of these underground restaurants and much easier to find and some even post their own web pages.

Here is a very interesting article posted by Remy Scalza, one of my favorite writers when it comes to gems in and about Vancouver.

Have you experience underground dining in Vancouver?

The Real Estate Industry watches the sales in a monthly time period  to current active listings (the sales-to-active-listings-ratio) closely. It is considered a balanced market when this ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.and deemed a buyers market when it is less than 15% and a sellers market when it's higher than 20%.  Last month this ratio hit 19.7% in Greater Vancouver which is the highest it has been since June 2011.  Last April the ratio was 15.7% ( a very low balanced market)..  Click here for more details on the Greater Vancouver Housing Sector.

Current Mortgage Rate as of May 9, 2014:

Fixed:  1 year @ 2.89% - 2 year @ 2.59% - 3 year @ 2.79% - 4 year @2.87% - 5 year @ 2.99-3.09% - 7 year @ 3.79% and a 10 year @ 4.29%

Contact us at anytime for more Real Estate information.

If you are a procrastinator  and haven't yet got anything planned for potentially one of the  top 2 ladies in you life (pretty sneaky how I dropped in 'potentially' eh? - I don't want to have anyone's nose out of joint??) then maybe this list of 10 different ways to show your mom a little gratitude might come in handy.   I kind of like the 2 for the price of 1 cupcake deal at 'Cupcakes' on Thurlow.  I wonder if that deal is on today.  I kind of have the munchies.  I also like the pizza idea at  Nicli Antica Pizzeria. I shouldn't right these blogs just before lunch - the picture below doesn't help either.  Anyway now you don't have any excuses.  Have a great Sunday and ENJOY!

How will you be celebrating Mother's Day?

In Richmond, The Steveston Community Society launched the Steveton Farmers and Artisans Market in May of 2008 and it has been getting bigger and better every year since.  A  venue where local farmers, artists and craftspersons make their products available in an open, fresh-air environment.   It runs on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in May thru September at the corner of Moncton and 3rd Ave from 10 am to 4 pm. 

And this Saturday kicks of the first of the Farmers Summer Markets that Vancouverites have to come to love. In May there are 3 different markets opening up for the season across town, with three more opening in June.  If you plan on visiting more than 1 market per week it would be a good idea to check  out the market membership option. This will get you discounts and member appreciation day benefits. 

Where is your favorite summer farmers market?

Did you know that currently Vancouver's most expensive home is a duplex?  Yes, ' Greencroft Estate' is a rare opportunity to own both sides of an award winning 'Heritage A; mansion that apparently was the luxurious home of a former Lt. Governor.   A beautifully restored residence where both sides are currently connected and includes formal  rooms, 2 wine cellars, oak floors, stained glass windows, gourmet kitchen,  an oak panelled elevator and an art deco parkade.  This 12,216 square foot home includes 9 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms and 3 kitchens. Nicely situated on Cypress Street in beautiful Shaughnessy for a resounding $35,000,000.  

This Saturday you can do a little festival hopping.  And for those lovers of delicious prawns and a batch of spirits - you are in luck.  Two Festivals! First you have the 'Spot Prawn Festival' at False Creek Fisherman's Wharf just west of Granville Island from  11 am to 3 pm.  A family friendly event which free entertainment, activities for kids, and free cooking demonstrations from top local chefs.

A little later in the day you may want to take in a spirted festival: 'BC Distilled' which take place at CBC from 6-9 pm.  Try some of BC's impressive variety of micro-makers of extracts, whisky, vodka, gin and absinthe. There will be some of out towners displaying their fine spirits at the fest as well. Happy Sipping.

You probably see crows everyday. Now they will take the spotlight at the 2nd Annual Crow Night at the Vancouver Central Library on May 9th. Crow Night is just one of a series of  free events held as part of Vancouver's Bird Week.  Bird Nerds take action and brush up on your know how at a series of interesting lectures at the Stanley Park Ecological Society on a wide range of topics. 

Would you choose a crow as Vancouver's city bird?  If not, what would your bird choice be?

From May 30 to June 7 celebrate the fifth annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week featuring 21 events.  With new breweries opening up the Vancouver Bar Scene is getting wise to the more varied brews than ever before and the local liquor stores are now stocking more and more brands.  Opening night iss at Gossip Night Club featuring Vancouver's hip-hop due 'Swollen Members'.  There is a Lot of venues to celebrate at and plenty of tickets still available.

Do you have a favorite Vancouver Craft Beer?

If you love halibut as much as I do then you might enjoy this weekend.  A 2 day event in 2 separate locations.  Tomorrow in the parking lot of  Fresh Street Market in West Vancouver you can find yourself a delicious grilled halbut burger and a drink for a crazy $5.   And more importantly fresh halibut will be on sale for what is promised to be the best price of the season.  

If tomorrow doesn't work, or if want another great venue then try Fresh Street Farms in Surrey on Sunday.  There you will find tons of fresh halibut, grilled halibut burgers and loads of food demo's  courtesy of Fraser Meadows Yogurt and Sutra Curry.  Click here for more about this fun festivial

I don't know about you, but I love Pajo's in Steveston on a hot sunny day, but my favorite  halibut joint  would have to be good old reliable Dave's Fish and Chips on Moncton in Steveston.   Where's your favorite halibut meal?

by REMY SCALZA

Are you ready to “swim” your way through Vancouver’s Robson Street?

The 800-block of Robson will be closed to traffic and transformed into an “urban reef” this summer. Designed to encourage people to stop, meet and mingle, the unique installation consists of a series of flowing benches crafted to look much like a landlocked coral reef.

The design beat out 78 other entries from all over the world as part of the Robson Redux contest.  Entrants were tasked with transforming the busy section of Robson Street, situated directly behind the Vancouver Art Gallery, into a pedestrian-friendly space for people to sit and relax during the summer months.

The winning design came, appropriately enough, from a group of Vancouver architects and carpenters.  They’ll be given $40,000 by the city to cover materials and other costs for the project.  The reef is set to be up and running by Canada Day (July 1) and will remain in operation through Labour Day (Sept. 1).

The installation’s three curving reefs are meant to be used as comfy benches or lounge chairs (in fact, ledges have been strategically positioned to catch the sun).  High-top tables offer a spot to eat lunch from food trucks parked nearby.  The reefs also provide seating for outdoor performances, from shows by local buskers to bigger events.

The coolest part: At night, LED bulbs inside the reef will be lit, making the sculpture glow from within.

This is the fourth year that this section of Robson Street has been closed to traffic and made into a gathering space.  Past installations have included a collection of giant beanbags for lounging in the sun and, more practically, a cluster of cedar benches and patio umbrellas.  Popular among pedestrians, the yearly closures are met with a mixed reaction by drivers and bus passengers, who are forced to find alternate routes around the busy block.