We all want only the best for our beloved four-legged friends, and this article will help you find the top parks, vets, shops, dog walkers, and dog-friendly apartments in Vancouver. Many parks in Vancouver have unrestricted entrance for dogs, but only a few of them have an off-leash policy, which is naturally the best option if you want to play and have as much fun as possible with your dog.

If you don’t know where to take your dog when he’s sick at 4:00 in the morning, or even which vet is closest to your house, this article will provide you with the information you need. Care for dogs also includes dog-walkers. Owners usually hire them for while they’re at work or terribly busy attending a conference outside the city. There is more to the care about dogs than meets the eye: just take licences and the bylaws you need to know if you want to be a legal dog owner for example. Despite the seemingly endless list of obstacles and need-to-knows, every dog owner will tell you that she’s happy and more than willing to accept any one of them just to make her dog happy.

Off-leash Dog Parks and Locations

Dogs are welcome in all Vancouver Parks. Special off-leash privileges are available during specific times at selected locations. Be very careful and watch the time, even if you’re having a great deal of fun with your beloved pet. You can get an unpleasant fine if you let your dog off the leash longer than it’s allowed. You can always come again another day. In most parks, the off-leash time splits into morning and evening sessions, usually before and after most people have to be at work, so dog owners can spend some quality time with their pets. Here are some of the best off-leash parks for you and your dog. The rest of them can be found on the map provided by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

• Charleson Park (Map)

The grass bowl is off-leash 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. year-round. The waterfall pond is on-leash June to September, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and off-leash at other times. If you want to relax a bit, Charleson is just the place to go with your dog. The view of the downtown shoreline you get around the waterfall and pond is amazing, especially when the sun goes down. Charleson is one of the nicest places to watch the sunset in Vancouver.

• CRAB Park at Portside (Map)

Crab Park by Wisley

The east side of the park is off-leash 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Be careful since no dogs are allowed within 15 metres of the playground. From atop a grassy knoll or the small pier jutting into Burrard Inlet, this is a good place to get a close look at Vancouver’s working port, with views of the colourful containers, cruise ships, heliport, and SeaBuses. If you enter the park from the Main Street overpass, you’ll be able to take some beautiful pictures of two Chinese lion statues framing views of the peaks. This park also has waterfront access.

• Spanish Bank Beach Park (Map)

The outlined area is off-leash from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. The park also has waterfront access. Silent and sparkling on summer mornings, Spanish Bank Beach quickly fills with people as the temperature rises. Your dog will love you even more if you give him the opportunity to run freely through the sand.

• Queen Elizabeth Park (Map)

The outlined area is off-leash from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Queen Elizabeth Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Vancouver — if not the most beautiful. It’s a shame that only two parts of the park are off-leash, so dogs and their owners are quite restricted when it comes to the off-leash area; however, all dog owners say that for some reason this is their dogs’ favourite park.

• Balaclava Park (Map)

The outlined area is off-leash from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 A.M. The nearly five hectares located in a very quiet neighbourhood are an ideal for jogging with your faithful friend. It’s also a good place to take your family for a picnic or just a short walk. The park also has a playground and softball field.

How to Find a Good Vet Nearby

Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic

Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic (Animal ER) is the place to go if your dog is sick in the evening or at night. It’s a facility dedicated to providing 24-hour emergency and critical care services for companion animals. They employ some of the finest and most experienced vets in the city. The animal ER has been functioning for almost 35 years. In their own words:

Every pet, whether injured or sick, will have timely access to treatment and diagnostics, delivered by our expert team of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary office assistants and support staff. Our Team members have been chosen not only for their skills, but also for their ability to do their best for you and your pet. Our Team continually undergoes training, both on site and at recognized national and international seminars.

The centre holds the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation, an evaluation based on 900 standards in various areas. However, if the situation is not urgent and you don’t want to drive to Granville, where the clinic is, you can find a lot of capable and professional vets all around Vancouver.

Licences

Each dog owner in Vancouver is obliged to get a licence for his/her pet once he’s older than three months. The licence isn’t just a city by-law: it also protects your pet and helps identify your dog if she gets lost. You are entitled to get your pet back with no impound charge once per calendar year. According to the City of Vancouver City Council:

Every year, more than 3,500 dogs go missing in Vancouver. 92 per cent of lost dogs wearing a licence are returned to their owner, while a high percent of dogs lost without a tag never find their way back home.

Licence fees help the pound provide food, shelter, and medical treatment to lost, abandoned, or abused dogs, and fund education and pet adoption services. Dog licence renewals are staggered throughout the year according to where you live in Vancouver. Intact male or intact female dog licences cost $71.00, while neutered male or spayed female licenses cost $38.00. The penalty for missing the licence expiry date is $10 a month.

Dog Walkers and Dog Daycare

Dogs Walking by Michael Scheltgen

Dogs need to be walked at least a few hours a day, and since many people work too late or start too early, they don’t always have the time to do so themselves. In cases like these, many people decide to hire a dog walker who will pick the dog up and walk him every day. Some dogs need even more attention. A great deal of our beloved friends are simply scared if left home alone. That’s why more and more dog daycare centres have started to pop up around the city. You can leave your dogs during the day, they can play with others and you pick them up after you’ve finished at work. Basically it’s the same as with children and daycare, except some of the doggie daycares also offer training for your pets. These are some of Vancouver’s best dog walking and dog daycare services.

• Lucky Dog Walking Service

As Lucky Dog promises in its advertisement, it really provides your dog with air, play, and love during the day when you’re not able to get away from the office. The service is highly professional yet not at all uptight. Lucky Dog Walking Service is licensed, insured, bonded, and certified in Pet First Aid, so you really don’t need to be worried. They specialize in group and private dog walking to keep your dog happier and healthier. The service also offers puppy visits, in-hotel dog sitting, pet taxi service, phoDography, and hosting “lucky hour” events — fun, casual events for singles with dogs to meet other singles with dogs.

• Best Friends Pet Care

Best Friends Pet Care operates in Vancouver’s west side, including Point Grey, Kits, Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy, Fairview, and Mount Pleasant, providing both dog walking and cat sitting services 365 days a year. They are licensed, insured, bonded, and fully certified in Pet First Aid (for both dogs and cats) for your piece of mind — at work or at the birthday party at you allergic friend.

• Biscuits Pet Services

Biscuits Pet Services

You don’t need to worry about your pet while Biscuit Pet Services takes care of her; they are a pet first aid service trained by St. John Ambulance and licensed, insured, and bonded pet care professionals. They are very eager and able to adapt to your needs, and it’s been said that flexibility is very important in this business.

• Canine Adventure Den Daycare

With over 4,000 square feet of indoor and 1,200 square feet of outdoor play area for big and small dogs, the Adventure Den is one of the biggest establishments in and around Vancouver. They also offer new puppy daycare. This False Creek daycare centre is open six days a week Monday to Friday, from 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Saturday from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. They offer pick-up and drop-off service and adventure dog hikes.

• Creature Comforts Pet Care Services

Creature Comforts Pet Care Services have been around for more than fifteen years now. Their services range from private walks to group hikes. They are insured, bonded, and licensed, a founding member of VPDWA.

Do you have any suggestions that might help dog owners like you? Don’t hesitate to add a comment below. It would be much appreciated!

Best Places for Your Dog in Vancouver

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

Many of us have wanted one of these perfect creatures at some point in our lives. Lucky souls have already got at least one loyal pet friend. But there are still many dog admirers who remain undecided. One of the most common reasons for their hesitation is that they live in a condominium. Some people even believe that a dog cannot be raised in a condo. If you belong among the indecisive group, this article could hold a few clues to a successful choice.

Before You Buy a Dog

Check with your landlord

Be sure that you ask your apartment manager, landlord, or rental office for permission before buying or adopting a dog. Some apartments do not allow dogs at all because of property damages. Some will charge a “pet rent.” It’s possible you could be charged $30 a month for your pet in addition to the security and cleaning deposits that will be required.

Restrictions

Some apartments, especially in cities, will not approve certain breeds, especially the more allegedly aggressive or protective ones. These often include, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, and Boxers. Most establishments will have a complete list on the premises. If the apartment only allows small dogs and you own, for instance, a Golden Retriever, ask for an allowance and then make sure it’s written into the lease and initialled by you and the landlord. Negotiating might not always work, though. You should also pay attention to the size and weight restrictions, policies about barking, and the number of pets you’re permitted to own.

If you want to convince your prospective landlord, the best thing you can do is to bring your dog for a demonstration. Don’t forget vet records proving that your pet is in good health and is up to date on all vaccinations. Be willing to confirm on paper that you’ll keep your dog on a leash and muzzled, and that you’ll dispose of his droppings.

When you finally are accommodated, I advise you to abide by the ten commandments for condo and apartment dog owners.

The Right Dog for a Condo Life

Golden Valentine Brothers
by Andrew Morrell

Now it’s time to choose your dog! Together we will go through the 20 most popular breeds of 2011 according to the American Kennel Club. If one of these apartment dog breeds sparks your interest, it’s necessary first to really examine the breed’s personality and needs. The secret of a stable and happy dog lies in providing enough exercise. Dogs are animals that retain the instinct to migrate. Therefore, even the owners of small breeds should take their darlings out for regular walks. High-energy dogs should be taken out for long walks, bike rides, or jogs.

Types of dogs that cannot live in an apartment:

• aggressive guard dogs
• extremely high-energy dogs
• dogs that bark too often

Working, herding, and sporting dog breed groups are generally not recommended for apartments. Many mixed breed and hybrid dogs make outstanding apartment dogs. In addition to their longer and healthier lives, they seem to bark less.

Twenty Most Popular Breeds

Bichon Havanese

Weight: 7-13 pounds
Height: 8”-12”
Life Span: 12-15 years
Shedding: No

Havanese by Wikimedia Commons

This dog is kid-tolerant. However, the breed is too fragile for younger children; perfect for seniors.

This tiny wonder is a friend to just about everyone. He gets along well with kids, other dogs, pets, and strangers. The Havanese is happiest when he is the centre of attention. He is a little show-off who likes to play and act silly. He gives plenty of affection in return. This breed has even been used for therapy work. Since the dog is keen on learning anything new, it’s easy to train him — though he tends to bark a lot. Use clicker training for exceptional training sessions. Try to encourage their effort through positive reinforcement. These dogs love water and swimming.

Small dogs like the Havanese tend to develop small dog syndrome which results in the need to dominate the house and everyone in it. Therefore, they must be heavily socialized starting very early. They need an owner and family that knows how to exert a firm but kind “pack leader” dominance role over them.

Boston Terrier

Weight: 12-25 pounds
Height: 15”-17”
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Shedding: Some

Boston Terrier by Wikimedia Commons

Suitable for children and the elderly.

The Boston Terrier is one of the few truly American breeds. The breed can be easily recognized for their black and white coloration and characteristic appearance. Their small size and neatness make them a good breed for apartments. Intelligent and enthusiastic, these small clowns are easily house trained. After brief periods of activity, the Boston loves to curl up on the couch while you read a good book. They are gentle, obedient dogs who seldom fight. Nevertheless, they are protective and very loyal to their family. The Boston is also a good watch dog.

Boxer

Weight: 65-80 pounds
Height: 21”-25”
Lifespan: 9-11 years
Shedding: Yes

Boxer by Wikimedia Commons

They tolerate kids nicely. The Boxer will be a comforting friend for seniors who are able to get out and walk and drive a car.

As a medium-sized dog, the Boxer is one of the largest breeds that can do well in an apartment. Friendly and outgoing, she is the ultimate people dog. She lives life to the fullest. She can become so cheerful that her whole pelvis moves when she waggles his tail. With these traits, Boxers can be labelled as canine slapstick performers. They are also very intelligent but can be boisterous. For that reason, proper obedience training is a must. Luckily for you, the breed enjoys training and learns quite easily. The Boxer is wary of strangers but curious, and she will act boldly if threatened. Thanks to her fearless disposition, she is a great guard dog as well as guide dog. This dog is friendly and faithful to her family. Her temperament is basically playful, yet she is patient and stoic with children. She is tolerant of their antics and loves to play. Two walks per day and maybe a little “fetch” time will keep your boxer happy and healthy. She loves to go jogging!

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Weight: 13-18 pounds
Height: 12”-13”
Lifespan: 9-14 years
Shedding: Slight

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
by Wikimedia Commons

This breed does not have a lot of patience for very young kids and their antics; perfect for seniors.

The Cavalier is one of the best apartment dogs and the most loveable of the toy breeds. He is sweet, gentle, quiet, exceptionally affectionate, and gets along with everyone — from other dogs to strangers and older children. This is a perfect family pet: always ready to please, intelligent, and easy to train. This dog will respond extremely well to clicker training. A walk on a leash twice a day is sufficient for the Cavalier. When outdoors, the “spaniel” in him suddenly emerges and the dog wants to roam and sniff. Just like all the other toy breeds, the Cavaliers can develop small dog syndrome when not socialized too young and trained correctly.

Chihuahua

Weight: 2-6 pounds
Height: 5”-9”
Lifespan: 15-18 years
Shedding: Some

Chihuahua by Wikimedia Commons

They are very fragile and not always tolerant of children’s antics, noise, poking, and pushing; excellent for the elderly.

The Chihuahua supposedly has its origins in Mexico. Treated as a sacred dog that helps transition to the afterlife, the Chihuahua has always been a significant part of the family. Weighing a few pounds, this dog copes well in even the smallest of condos. What the Chihuahua lacks in size she makes up for in temperament. She is devoted and protective, rather easy to train and look after. The breed can also be paper-trained, which means the dog does not have to leave the house. The breed tends to be a little jealous when their owners pay attention to other people. Sometimes this jealousy can create problems since the breed can also be aggressive towards other dogs, especially the larger ones. For that reason, Chihuahuas need to be socialized early in life to prevent bad manners.

Dachshund

Weight: 16-32 pounds
Height: 8”-9”
Lifespan: 15-18 years
Shedding: Yes, smooth and wire-haired subtypes shed quite a lot; long-haired versions shed some fur.

Short Haired Dachshund
by Wikimedia Commons

Suitable for older kids in her own family but may snap at strange kids; good choice for an active senior as well but do consider Dachshund’s longevity!

With their short legs and long bodies, the Dachshund can live happily in an apartment. Playful, outgoing, and stubborn, the Doxie is a member of the hound breeds. The breed is curious, persistent, and loves to participate in family activities. Your Dachshund may possess seemingly limitless amounts of energy, thus keeping you active and well entertained. They enjoy a good walk or run in the park, or even the thrill of a wiener race from time to time, but the Dachshund is also content with a soft, warm bed. He is intelligent and willing to learn; however, he may be strong-willed. This trait may make training difficult, but nonetheless amusing. Very alert and vocalizing readily when strangers approach, the breed can also be a good watchdog.

English Bulldog

Weight: 40-50 pounds
Height: 12”-14”
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Shedding: Sheds some.

English Bulldog by Wikimedia Commons

Great family pet; ideal for the elderly.

Deeply rooted in British heritage, the English Bulldog is a stubborn yet relatively submissive breed that has been gaining popularity since the late 1800s. Although originally bred for savagery and bravery, the Bulldog is today a loyal and sweet member of the non-sporting dogs. Once you get used to their snorting, the Bulldog will prove to be a beloved family pet. Not fond of excessive exercise, they need to check out the grass twice daily and prefer to spend their time lounging around the house. The breed will alert their owners to the presence of strangers by barking and growling but tend not to attack. Their grand figure is usually enough to repel villains. As they are quite stubborn and slow to follow instructions, training the Bulldog can be tough

English Cocker Spaniel

Weight: 26-36 pounds
Height: 15”-17”
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Shedding: A little.

English Cocker Spaniel
by Wikimedia Commons

Cockers generally tolerate only older kids. They are good with active seniors.

The popular Cocker Spaniel with his curly fur and sad look is a wise choice for apartment life. Overall, he is a joyful dog that is willing to please. The Cocker is an energetic dog that needs much exercise. If not allowed to be active, behavioural problems develop. The breed has natural protective instincts that make him a good watchdog. Cocker Spaniels have an inherent hunger for hunting and they make proficient gun dogs. In addition to hunting training, they are easily trained in obedience. Even though Cockers are land animals, they can adapt to water.

English Springer Spaniel

Weight: 40-50 pounds
Height: 18”-21”
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Shedding: Light.

English Springer Spaniel
by Wikimedia Commons

Great with older kids, especially those who run a lot outdoors. If his elderly owner can walk enough to satisfy the dog’s needs, these two are a good match.

The Springer Spaniel can be as affectionate and playful as her bigger cousin, the English Setter. However, she must receive adequate exercise first. This dog does well in an apartment as long as she gets out for plenty of vigorous exercise to exhaust her. This dog is cheerful and does everything with gusto. With the right approach, the breed is remarkably kind, gentle, polite, and a genuine companion for the family. Intelligent and ready to learn, especially hunting skills, the typical Springer Spaniel is an ideal dog for first-time owners. Use clicker training and positive reinforcement to achieve the best results.

Maltese

Weight: 4-6 pounds
Height: 9”-10”
Lifespan: 14-16 years
Shedding: If the hair coat is kept groomed, shedding is minimal.

Maltese Puppy by Wikimedia Commons

This dog is not for kids, but an excellent choice for seniors.

Weighing around five pounds, the Maltese certainly is a legitimate member of the apartment dogs group. As the most dramatic member of the toy breed group, the Maltese was cherished by Queen Elizabeth I. One of the reasons for his popularity with the queen may have been his long, snow-white, streaming coat. This breed of royalty also want to be treated like princes. He is a quintessential pet: somewhat affectionate and an absolute lap dog. Despite his gentle looks, this pup can be a feisty character. When showing his wild side, the Maltese loves to romp and play. They can be reserved with strangers — some Maltese even bark a lot when dealing with the unfamiliar. If you happen to get a Maltese with a separation anxiety problem, he will challenge just about everything. Other than standard obedience, he does not really need further training. Training this breed takes longer than usual, yet he’ll catch on in time if you are patient. Use clicker training for excellent results.

Papillon

Weight: 4-9 pounds
Height: 8”-11”
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Shedding: Not much.

Papillon by Wikimedia Commons

Their fragile structure makes them ill suited for living with small children. Yet they like the company of children, especially if they grow up with them. Papillons are ideal for the elderly.

One of the most obedient and responsive of the toy breeds, the vivacious “butterfly dog” is a small, fuzzy ball of fun! She is gentle and loves to play, romp, and walk. Having low exercise needs, Papillons can be entertained indoors and given a walk each day. Possibly the most affectionate of all the toy breeds, they are friendly toward strangers, dogs, and most pets. Some can be timid. These critters are really easy to train. The most effective way for this little dog is the clicker training and positive reinforcement method. Pick up a clicker for around $3.00 at a pet store and get started. This breed makes for a near perfect apartment dog.

Pomeranian

Weight: 3-7 pounds
Height: 8”-11”
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Shedding: Yes.

Pomeranian by Wikimedia Commons

Older children are fine to be around these dogs, say, seven years and up. Just like the rest of the toy breeds, the Pomeranians are born to keep seniors company.

Throughout history, the Pomeranian has been a wonderful companion for royalty. This mini fluff ball looks almost like a little fox. With a happy nature that thrives on human companionship, it is an admirable breed. The Pom is ideal for an apartment because he requires little space. If you are looking for a spunky little dog with a big personality, look no further. He needs lots of activity to keep him out of trouble. The breed can get along well with other dogs but having more than one Pomeranian means a noisy house. He is a clever dog that can be taught various tricks.

Poodle (Miniature and Toy)

Weight: 16-20 pounds (Miniature); 4-8 pounds (Toy)
Height: 11”-15” (Miniature); up to 10” (Toy)
Lifespan: 15-18 years
Shedding: No

Poodle by Wikimedia Commons

The Miniature Poodle is highly affectionate with children. However, the Toy Poodle can snap at them. Both types are superb companions for seniors. Watch out for their longevity, though!

Poodles are widely associated with France. For centuries, they have been a symbol of grace and extravagance. Available in three different sizes and various colours, there is a Poodle to everyone’s taste. The Miniature and Toy Poodle are among the most popular canine apartment dwellers. The Poodle is a pleasant dog that craves constant human company. She hates solitude and prefers being with people rather than with other dogs. The breed also does not like to be ignored and treated as “just a dog.” They are considered by many to be the most intelligent of all breeds. As intelligence is their hallmark, they learn quickly and readily. However, some of them tend to enjoy doing tricks instead of learning commands. In addition to being excellent water dogs, Poodles also do well as family protectors and companions. This breed is well known for being low-shed. What more could you wish for?

Pug

Weight: 14-20 pounds
Height: 9”-11”
Lifespan: 12-16 years
Shedding: Sheds heavily.

Pugs by Wikimedia Commons

Though Pugs consider children as their siblings, children must be mature enough to understand that Pugs do not like to be disturbed when they are eating or sleeping. The elderly will love them!

Would you guess that this oriental breed served as guard dogs in ancient Chinese temples? Hardly ever hostile, the Pug is a charming, good-tempered dog and a clown at heart. In their compact bodies, Pugs harbour unlimited enthusiasm and tremendous amounts of love. Their main reason for living is to stay with the family and to satisfy their owners. They want to be everyone’s best friend but they will get upset when left out of joint activities. Since the Pug is intelligent and clever, sometimes even mischievous, he’s easy to train using standard obedience commands. Small with a short-hair coat, this breed does not need special care as long as he is taken for brief walks. Pugs are great watch dogs, yet they will gladly curl up on your lap and sleep the day away.

Schnauzer (Standard and Miniature)

Weight: 30-36 pounds (Standard); 13-15 pounds (Miniature)
Height: 17”-19” (Standard); 12”-14” (Miniature)
Lifespan: 13-16 years (Standard); 12-15 years (Miniature)
Shedding: This breed usually requires regular grooming but sheds only little to no hair.

Schnauzer by Wikimedia Commons

The Schnauzer is quite tolerant of children and does well with active seniors.

With their grandfatherly appearance, this breed is easily distinguishable. The Schnauzer is deemed by many as the perfect family pet. She is a tough companion as well as protector. All Schnauzers are quite intelligent and reliable watchdogs. They readily alert members of the household to any potential danger. Unfortunately, their watchful temperament can lead to persistent barking. To avoid disturbing the neighbours, you should curb excessive barking through training. Schnauzers tend to be independent minded, so early training and daily exercise is inevitable. However, they do not put up with severe training or reproach. Otherwise they are easy to train. Schnauzers have a high prey drive (typical for a ratting dog), which means they may attack other small pets such as birds, snakes, and rodents. With proper leadership, they can get along with cats and other dogs. Socialize this breed well, especially the Miniature version. Concerning the Mini Schnauzers, these are less domineering than the larger Schnauzers. Since the dogs are extremely playful, they can become bored easily and create their own ways of fun. They will not listen if they feel they are more self-assertive than their master. Therefore, owners need to possess a natural air of authority. Although small, this breed does not have a sharp, shrill bark, but rather sounds like a low howl. She’s an easy dog to travel with.

Shetland Sheepdog

Weight: 18-20 pounds
Height: 13”-16”
Life Span: 12-14 years
Shedding: Some shedding but light.

Shetland Sheepdogs
by Wikimedia Commons

Shetland Sheepdogs tolerate older kids pretty well. The dog needs too much exercise to be kept by a senior.

The “Sheltie” is smart, friendly, sensitive, and extremely willing to please. This combination makes for a dog that is disciplined, quick to learn, and very loyal to its family. He is a great watchdog with plenty of energy in his subtle frame. Give this dog good daily walks or short jogging and some lively game time and he’ll make a fine apartment dog. Don’t be surprised when you find your Sheltie resting on your lap, though. The dog can be reserved and often timid toward strangers. Keep in mind that this breed generally barks a lot. If you want to train your Sheltie, you will achieve excellent results with clicker training and the dog will like the technique too.

Shih-Tzu

Weight: 9-16 pounds
Height: 8”-11”
Lifespan: 14-16 years
Shedding: No.

Shih Tzu by Wikimedia Commons

Children over six years are okay as long as the kids understand how to treat smaller dog breeds. This breed is one of seniors’ absolute favourites!

Lively and spunky, the Shih-Tzu is packed with character. She is before anything else an affectionate, trusting companion and lap dog that loves to play. He needs little exercise beyond a brief walk. This devoted dog makes friends quickly and is generally good with other pets too. He will sometimes bark at the ringing doorbell or postman and can alert his owners to fire. As Shih-Tzus have mind of their own, the training process can be draining. Your little pup will respond well if you stay patient and repeat commands over and over. The Shih-Tzus need all of the apartment dwellers to set consistently clear rules. Otherwise, they can simply become furious and noisy.

Welsh Corgi

Weight: 25-30 pounds
Height: 10”-13”
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Shedding: The coat is shed twice a year.

Corgi by Wikimedia Commons

Corgis are devoted and protective — especially around children. However, only older kids who are over 6 or 7 years old can stay around them. As Corgis need to move a lot, they are not a sensible option for the elderly.

Two breeds have the name Welsh Corgi — the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. At first sight, you may get the notion that the only difference is the presence or absence of a tail. On closer inspection, you’ll find more differences. These are two totally separate breeds coming from different origins and ancestors. The Cardigan is still used to herd livestock. The Pembroke acts as a regular house pet with the exception of Great Britain, where locals adore the breed so much that it has become the Royal Dog of England. Both Corgis are intelligent and faithful dogs that shine at obedience training. Having fewer herding instincts, the Pembroke is also more tolerant and fun-loving. Their possessive streak can result in aggressive tendencies in certain dogs. This stocky breed needs periodic exercise but does not demand a large living space. As working dogs, Corgis are content to do a meaningful job.

West Highland White Terrier

Weight: 15-21 pounds
Height: 10”-11”
Life Span: 12-14 years
Shedding: Some

Westie by Wikimedia Commons

They are excellent for older children above the age of ten or children with whom they’ve been raised. Elderly people who can take the dog for a walk and would welcome a joyful time with their beloved pet will find an affectionate friend.

The adorable little Westie comes from Scotland. Perfectly proportioned for an apartment, he is a popular dog, especially with families and kids. This loyal companion likes people and most other dogs. He is typically a clever, polite dog with good manners. His barking will protect you from intruders and he will shower you with kisses until you go for a towel. Westies love nothing better than to play active games with their human counterparts. They are often considered the eternal puppies. Even though they may have a fun-loving attribute, Westies can be calm, confident, and determined. This sweet doggie will go jogging with you or fetch a ball in the dog park. He needs some grooming to keep his coat smooth and without tangles. The Westie is successful in obedience and agility as well as hunting and chasing.

Yorkshire Terrier

Weight: 7 pounds
Height: 6”-7”
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Shedding: This breed sheds little to no hair.

Yorkshire Terrier
by Wikimedia Commons

Most breeders won’t sell puppies to people whose children are younger than 5 or 6 years old. Besides that, children’s play with the dog should always be supervised. Seniors would score a bullseye!

The Yorkshire Terrier, well known for his sateen-like flowing locks, is a tiny but tough breed. Originally used to hunt rats, Yorkshire Terriers are very alert to strangers and can readily warn their family. Oddly enough, females are usually better watchdogs than males. Male Yorkies tend to let the females do all the work. Yorkies obligingly share their homes and families with other dog breeds. They are primarily indoor dogs, happy to spend their days lolling on the couch, but since they are Terriers at heart, they can live a hard outdoor life. The Yorkshire Terrier can be easily trained in basic obedience. These peaceful dogs need regular grooming.

Allergy Concerns

Do hypo-allergenic dogs exist?

In fact, no dog breed can suppress allergy causes because all dogs produce dander (shed skin cells), saliva, and urine. Pet hair itself is not an allergen, but it can collect dander, dust, and pollen. Urine is less problematic since dogs urinate outside. Pet allergy sufferers, who constitute as much as 15 per cent of our population, testified that it is possible to be allergic to all dogs or only to a particular breed. Some dog breeds are thought to produce less dander than others. That’s why many people who suffer from a mild form of allergy to dogs can live with so-called low-dander dogs in a convenient environment. You should be careful though, for there are no guarantees! Severe pet allergy sufferers might not tolerate any dogs at all, even with the best environmental controls.

If you’re allergic to dogs, there are things you can do to reduce your allergic symptoms. These tips are also helpful if you want to invite guests who suffer from allergies to animals.

• Bathe and groom your dog regularly and thoroughly. While grooming the dog, use an allergy-reducing spray.
• Wash your hands after handling the dog, his toys, bed, and other things
• Do not allow your dog to enter the bedroom. If you do, at least buy yourself a vinyl mattress cover and change bed sheets once a week.
• Use hardwood, vinyl, or linoleum floors instead of carpets.
• Clean and vacuum regularly.
• Install a good “HEPA” air cleaner.
• Use seat covers in your car.
• Feed your dog multivitamins and fatty acid supplements to keep her skin healthy.

Suitable dog breeds for allergy sufferers:

• Curly-coated: Bichon Frises, Irish Water Spaniels, Poodles, and Portuguese Water Dogs
• Hairless: American Hairless Terriers, Chinese Cresteds, and Xoloitzcuintli
• Low-shedding or single-coated: Basenjis, Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, and Maltese
• Terrier-type: Bedlington Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, Schnauzers, and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers

Dog-friendly Interior

To be frank, even a well trained dog poses a difficulty in maintaining an attractive home, so be prepared for accidents and messes of all kinds: vomiting, tracking dirt in, occasional incontinence, soiling wherever it is possible, and so forth. Moreover, the soiling issues increase with a dog’s age, or if it becomes sick.

Dalmation by Dave Morris

Flooring materials

• Opt for a hard surface like tile, wood, concrete, or stone, as these materials can be cleaned most easily.
• Most of these materials will need proper sealing to minimize stains, especially wood and stone, which are both porous. Porcelain and ceramic tile would be the ideal solution. Otherwise, select non-slip varnishes for this purpose.
• It is recommended to install heating in the floor so it isn’t too cold and balance the hard material with soft surfaces to absorb noise.
• Do not exclude carpet from your options! It is much more comfortable for dogs to lay on and offers them better traction. Choose rubber-backed area rugs or lay a nonskid pad under them. Small cotton rag rugs can be simply tossed in the washing machine.
• A wool carpet seems to be one of the smartest solutions. Wool is more stain-resistant than other fibers and cleans easily. Plus, it’s pretty durable, environmentally friendly, provides great insulation, and feels comfy.
• Another wise option is carpet tile. You can lay it yourself, and if one gets dirty, you just replace it with a new one. On unexpected occasions, a few extra should be at hand.

Walls

• If you want to use paint, look for a high-quality, easily cleanable product. Gloss-finish paints like eggshell and even semi-gloss, which is more usually used only on woodwork, will be easier to clean than flat paint.
• If the wallpaper is washable and can be scrubbed easily, it is an excellent choice. Variegated and irregular patterns will hide anything.

Furnishings and Useful Tips

• Give up fur-magnet materials such as silk, chintz, velvet, and chenille. You’d better cover your chairs and sofas with removable, machine-washable slipcovers made of heavy fabrics, such as denim or canvas. Leather, fake leather and microfiber are also convenient for dog-friendly homes. If you choose leather, make sure it’s thick enough to withstand dogs’ claws.
• In bedrooms, use quilt covers or bedspreads that can be shaken out and easily put back into place. Shop for tightly woven fibres that can be spot cleaned with water and detergent. Many won’t even require ironing. Crypton — a synthetic cloth that’s resistant to stains, smells, and bacteria — would be a smart choice.
• When you’re away, lay aluminum foil on the cushions of your sofa. The unsettling feel of the wrinkling foil will discourage your dog from jumping on the furniture without your permission.
• Don’t place fragile objects at nose, tail, or paw level. Go for a simple look: I suggest that you entirely remove redundant ornaments and worthless novelties.
• Keep a doormat outside the door. It will help trap dirt before your canine companion enters the apartment.
• Utilize a small cupboard, chest, or closet to hide leashes, doggy treats, pet wipes, and the like.
• Keep their toys easily accessible either in baskets or boxes.
• Don’t forget to provide cushiony places for pets in a room where people use to hang out.

Dog-reated Facilities in Vancouver

Please visit raincitydogs.com. The site contains useful Vancouver-area information for dog owners such as Vancouver dog park listings, dog trainers in Vancouver, great dog walkers, and daycare centres for dogs, boarding facilities, dog-friendly hotels in and around Vancouver, and lots of great Vancouver dog-related advice.

Keeping a Dog in a Condo

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

House in Vancouver by Amy
Thibodeau

What is the relationship between household debt and the depth of economic downturns?

If household debts increase considerably before the recession kicks in, the effect of such a downturn would be far more serious. Real GDP and household consumption would plummet, unemployment would increase considerably, and the time of the recovery would be prolonged. According to IMF’s research, household consumption falls by more than four times the amount that can be explained by the fall in house prices in high-debt economies. The relationship between household debt and the contraction in consumption also holds for economies that did not experience a banking crisis around the time of the housing bust.

Why might gross household debt be a problem?

It’s already been mentioned that IMF’s findings suggest that downturns are more severe when they are preceded by larger increases in household debt. Household debt is dangerous mainly because it amplifies the effect of macroeconomic shocks and weakens recoveries significantly. The pattern is as follows:

De-leveraging could stem from a realization that house prices were overvalued, a tightening in credit standards, a sharp revision in income expectations, or an increase in economic uncertainty. Here, a sufficiently large fall in the interest rate could induce creditor households to spend more, thus offsetting the decline in spending by the debtors.

What can governments do to support growth when household debt becomes a problem?

Mantioba House by Wendy Cutler

The main idea behind the governmental policies is that:

Targeted household debt restructuring policies can deliver significant benefits. Such policies can, at a relatively low fiscal cost, substantially mitigate the negative impact of household de-leveraging on economic activity… reduce the number of household defaults and foreclosures, and alleviate debt repayment burdens. In so doing, these programs help prevent self-reinforcing cycles of declining house prices and lower aggregate demand.

How’s Canada Holding Up?

Canada has also introduced more regulations in the mortgage market. There is the dispute of whether these changes are right, but there’s definitely ground for some change. The debt-to-income ratio among Canadian households fell in the fourth quarter of last year to 152.9 per cent from 154.2 per cent. According to a report released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), only 42 per cent of homeowners in Canada are mortgage-free. According to a report by CIBC World Markets Inc., the surge in Canadian borrowing over the last five years has been driven by the most indebted households. Households heavily dependent on borrowing now hold 73 per cent of all household debt in Canada. Despite several warnings in the media, Canadians have no reason to be discouraged yet. Mortgage rates are still at historic low levels.

How Dangerous is High Household Debt for the Economy?

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

Ruth Jones Tapestry in Circle Craft
Gallery

It’s time to get carried away a bit. If you let it happen, your reward would be a world of creativity, shapes, and colours you would have never imagined could look so amazing.

Andrighetti Glass Gallery (Map)

Necklace by Joanne Andrighetti

Andrighetti Glass Works used to offer classes, and they continue in the new location as well. There are all kinds of classes offered at Terminal City: Beadmaking, Boro, Furnacework (Glassblowing), and Sandblasting for beginners and advanced crafters. There are also lectures and demonstrations. Adrighetti Glass Works and Gallery is truly the place where glass feels alive.

Website: www.andrighetti.com
Email:
Phone: 604-731-8652

Circle Craft Co-Operative Shop & Gallery (Map)

Circle Craft is a unique BC Artist Cooperative dedicated to providing opportunities for craftspeople to connect with the community. Formed in 1972, Circle Craft has grown to become a major force in the marketing and promotion of quality craft utilizing, as they say, it’s a “direct from the artist approach.”

Circle Craft is well-known among some people mainly because of its November Christmas Craft Show at the Convention Centre, but what is truly charming about this particular gallery is the sale and show of over 200 local artists’ and artisans’ works. Circle Craft supports all types of fine crafts, from jewellery and stonework to glass work and pottery. Circle Craft aims to promote the development, recognition, and success of members and their work, and I think they’ve done a pretty amazing job so far.

Website: www.circlecraft.net
Email:
Phone: 604-669-8021

Gallery of BC Ceramics (Map)

Gallery of BC Ceramics

If you’re looking for a unique, handmade gift that supports local artists, make sure to check out the Gallery of BC Ceramics. The gallery staff is very friendly, helpful, and available to guide customers. The frequent turnover in exhibits and stock means that even a regular visitor is constantly surprised by what’s on display, which is quite a pleasant bonus for such a small gallery.

Website: www.bcpotters.com
Email:
Phone: 604-669-3606

Glass Onion Studio & Gallery (Map)

A quirky East-side studio and public gallery, Glass Onion showcases some pretty bizarre creations by local artists. A gallery that has neither email nor a website doesn’t look very good at first site, but when you come in, you’ll find out that this is not a drawback but a specialty. Glass Onion started out as a place for glasswork artisans only, but the studio has totally let loose and now encompasses a swarm of media. Take, for example, ‘memory boxes’ by Eric Allen Montgomery, which are evocative, three-dimensional assemblages of rusty roadside bits and other everyday items designed to induce personal recollections in the observer.

The best time to visit the gallery is to catch openings on the first Friday of every month, held regularly from May to September. Various other showcases of feature artists also run from October to April every year. Located out of the usual pathways of every tourist and mainstream gallery hunter, situated in a rustic spot near railroad tracks, you’ll have to venture off the beaten path to find it, but that’s the true spirit of Glass Onion. When you want to experience something truly exciting in one of the most interesting parts of Vancouver, Glass Onion is quite the place to visit.

Phone: 604-258-4103

Robert Held Art Glass (Map)

Robert Held Art Glass

Being physical with colour and form is my love. After experimenting with many different media, I discovered glass and was instantly captivated. The clarity of the glass, the roar of the furnaces, the heat, and even the constant danger were all factors that influenced my choice of this difficult yet beautiful medium. I strive to create pieces that provide both a tactile and visual pleasure. It is through this experience that I can share my passion for glass with the world.

For over 25 years, Robert Held has led the Canadian art glass industry, establishing the first college-level art glass program and influencing the art across North America. His pieces are in the collections of royalty and governments and can be part of your home collection. Mr Held is truly one of the finest craftsmen in British Columbia, if not in the whole country. Using techniques that date back 2,000 years, Robert Held Art Glass continues to amaze — especially the new Crucible line of collectible vases crafted with dichroic glass and 24-carat-gold leafing. Robert’s glasswork graces the tables of royalty, and his glass sculptures can be found in major collections such as the Roland Michener and the Indusman. Robert Held Art Glass is still the biggest hot glass studio in Canada.

Website: www.robertheld.com
Email:
Phone: 888-786-9766 (Toll-free)

Galleries in Vancouver: Fine Craft

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

English Bay Sunset by Tony B

English Bay

English Bay is one of the most popular places to watch the sunset in Vancouver. The place where businessmen go after work to catch a bit of a fresh air, roller bladers whiz by in fluorescent spandex, mums take their children to watch them play in the sunshine, and people go to chill is also a place where you can catch the sunset photo of your life.

This place is not about seclusion or solitude. You go to English Bay to watch a sunset with hundreds of fellow Vancouverites — your whole family, your friends, all the people you care about. However, if you prefer a calmer place but you still want to be on English Bay, there is the landmark Inukshuk, just down the seawall. The Inukshuk is one of the places where a camera aimed at sunset should be obligatory. Sitting on a grassy hill with the monument standing in front of you as the sun goes down is an amazing experience.

Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain by Robert Nyman

The mountain is an ideal place to take your better half for dinner in the restaurant with one of the best views on the west coast. Be sure to make a reservation in the Observatory restaurant and enjoy the last beams of light while eating their marvellous red wine cured beef carpaccio or just making your life sweeter with champagne poached aldergrove rhubarb, which is, by the way, heavenly.

Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant

Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant is a very classy way to enjoy beautiful Vancouver sunsets. If you’re scared of heights, this one might be a bit of a challenge for you — at least it was for some of my friends who didn’t know better. Cloud 9 is like being on a cloud: it is hosted by Empire Landmark Hotel on the 42nd floor!

You can enjoy a stunning, 360-degree view of the city, and the experience is enhanced by outrageously huge windows. The restaurant is set up so that the seating area would make a slow turn around the base of the building. It is definitely worth going up during a sunset and seeing Vancouver in the midst of a purple and red sky. It’s well worth the pricey menu. You get what you pay for. The great prix-fixe menu that will save you some money.

Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach by Guilhem Vellut

The Seawall

To go for a run on the Seawall while the sun’s going down is one of the best things you can do in the summer evening. If you’re not a big fan of running, or you’re just feeling a bit lazier than usual, the Seawall is the perfect place for an evening walk.

If you take a camera with a tripod with you, you’ll have the opportunity to catch nice scenery with boats and Stanley Park in the background. Siting on the Seawall, with your feet dangling over the wall, all your worries magically disappear.

Cypress Provincial Park Highview

Cypress Provincial Park has two day-use/picnic areas. The Quarry picnic area has a large, grassy area with eleven picnic tables. Highview has a small, grassy area and six picnic tables. It’s the main lookout over Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the south end of Vancouver Island, and the view is jaw-dropping. Both the day-use areas have two pit toilets and picnic tables with barbecue attachments, but you have bring your own briquettes. There are no fire rings, and fires are not permitted. It will never cease to amaze me how beautiful Vancouver looks at sunset from this place. It’s just outside of downtown Vancouver, so it’s ideal for a little evening trip if you don’t want to visit Grouse Mountain.

Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Vancouver

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

Spring is in the air, and that also means it’s time for the annual ritual called spring cleaning. It’s hardly something we look forward to, but the sense of renewal that comes after is worth the effort. A good plan is the best place to start. It’s important to take as much time as necessary to do a little deep cleaning and preventive maintenance well beyond the routine tasks.

At one time, the whole process of spring cleaning involved a complete cleaning of every square inch of the home. Families would often spend many days creating that spring-fresh feeling. Today’s spring cleaning may not be as complicated, but there are still tasks that need to be performed to keep your home healthy.

Storing seasonal clothing, checking appliances, and controlling the clutter are necessary activities. Places like the garage, otherwise neglected, will also deserve some attention. Spring is a great time to inspect and clean window treatments, whether you need to pay attention to blinds, window casing, sills, or window hardware. Bedding and mattresses occasionally need to be inspected and cleaned as well. Use this time to check mattress pads and pillow covers. Take a few minutes to clean the ceiling fans. Whether you perform these tasks yourself or pay somebody else to do it, here are some useful tips for cleaning your place and getting ready for summer months.

Room by Room

The big cleaning job may become more straightforward, even fun, with a plan, a checklist, and a rewarding celebration, of course. One of the hardest parts is deciding what to tackle first. Create an action plan and assign tasks to family members, professionals, or friends willing to help. Hold a meeting and brainstorm. Don’t forget about rewards that will motivate everyone to do their best!

Don’t skip reading the labels of each product used to avoid accidents. Consider any special equipment that will be needed, and consider buying safety items like goggles or protective gloves. Children can ease your way by doing less demanding cleaning tasks that might be appropriate for them. However, some cleaning products should be kept out of their reach, so make sure to check the labels. Remember: safety is the priority.

Bathroom

• 
   

  
  Bathroom Cleaning by Melissa Barrett

  Get rid of expired cosmetics and medications. If you’re not sure about proper disposal of specific products, contact your local household hazardous waste collection centre or similar authority.
• Organize toiletries.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with an extension attachment and soft cloths to clean walls and ceilings. Determine the water resistance of all wall coverings before washing. For walls with a rough texture, use old nylon stockings instead of a sponge.
• Wash mirrors, other glass surfaces, and windows with suitable cloth.
• Clean the exterior of the toilet tank and base. Clean the bowl interior. Scrubbing products are recommended.
• Scrubbing products serve well in shower cleaning, too.
• Clean floors with a broom, vacuum cleaner, and sponge mop. Finish with a dry cleaner.

Bedroom

• Launder or dry-clean winter bedding and store. Special bags are great for minimizing storage space for off-season items.
• Wash curtains thoroughly to remove dust particles. Dry them outdoors and save energy while also getting a lovely, fresh smell.
• Wash mirrors and inside of windows. Vacuum and wipe walls and ceilings (the same procedures as in the bathroom).
• Shampoo or stem-clean carpets, area rugs, and upholstery.
• Be patient with taking all books and accessories off shelves and clean surfaces beneath.
• Toss or give away unwanted items. Consider donating to a shelter, hospital, or church.
• Make sure to clean any hard-to-reach spaces. This is vitally important to avoid dust mites.
• Protect your wood furniture with a moisturizing furniture polish. Harsh winter conditions could easily cause it to dry and possibly crack. Use a soft cloth.

Home Office

• 
  Home Office by Bruno De Regge

  Treat curtains, windows, walls, ceilings, carpets, and rugs as in previous rooms.
• Clean out files. Shred papers you no longer need. Review and update contracts.
• Properly dispose of or give away any unwanted software, hardware, or electronics. Donate working items that are no longer necessary for you. Look for information regarding e-waste recycling centres in your area.

Kitchen

• Clean your refrigerator, freezer, oven, and microwave. Don’t forget about interiors and racks. You can try putting lemon juice in the microwave. Heat water to boil for couple of minutes, and the steam will loosen food particles stuck to the interior. The citric acid in the juice also helps with grease.
• Dust the tops of cabinets and refrigerator, cookbooks, and cookbook shelves. Give away any items you’re not using.
• Clean and polish counters, drawers, and shelves.
• Reorganize pantries, cabinets, drawers, and racks so you can find everything quickly.
• Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors. Save this task for your last in the room.

Living Room

• Replace heavy, cold-weather fabrics with lighter ones.
• Clean out your fireplace for the season. To keep the dust down, sprinkle damp coffee grounds over the fireplace ashes. Gently scrub the walls of the firebox with a stiff-bristle brush. Vacuum up only after you’ve removed the ashes. You can easily clean the fireplace tools by dipping fine-grade steel wool into vegetable oil and rubbing the tools gently.

Outdoors

• 
  Spring Cleanup by Dave Parker

  Remove, wash, and store storm windows.
• Wash outside of windows and rinse removable screens.
• Scrub, brush, mop, and apply detergent to porch ceilings, floors, and walls.
• Replace broken bricks or flagstones.
• Clean gutters and rain spouts.
• Scrub outdoor furniture, umbrellas, and awnings.
• Clean garage. Get rid of unwanted items and organize containers with tools. Sweep and wash the floor.
• Check your outdoor lighting and sprinkler system. Consider buying energy-efficient, solar-powered outdoor lighting.
• Trim and remove dead tree limbs. Do some basic landscaping repairs on the lawn, shrubbery, and plants. Give some attention to the exterior doors, fence, and exterior repairs. Lawn maintenance or pest prevention might need to be performed as well. Consult a professional if necessary.

Using Homemade Cleaning Products

The variety of supplies stocked in the cleaning aisles of stores can be overwhelming. If you are tempted to clean out the local store of all the cleaning “wonders,” consider alternatives that are definitely cheaper and in many cases more efficient and healthy.

Instead of glass cleaner from the store, you can make your own recipe with a few ingredients. Carefully mix together one cup of rubbing alcohol, one cup of water, and a tablespoon of vinegar. Put them into a new, empty spray bottle (do not reuse an old one), label as glass cleaner, and keep safely stored out of reach of pets and curious children. Homemade glass cleaner can compete with the cleaning products of big brands, and this powerful mixture of alcohol and vinegar can be also used to shine hard tiles, chrome, and similar materials.

Other ingredients of homemade cleaning products include baking soda, which works well for surfaces that need gentle scrubbing. It’s also effective in removing smelly odours — that’s why it can be useful for bathroom and kitchen cleaning. Baking soda removes stains and softens laundry, too.

• Essential oils add a pleasant scent to homemade solutions, but be careful, as a little goes a long way.
• Lemons are great for scrubbing copper-bottom pots and the lemon juice, a natural bleach, works in cleaning pans.
• Salt can help you to get rid of rust and mildew, as well as polish copper and silver.
• Silver can be alternatively cleaned with toothpaste, which can be also used to remove stains on white clothing or white shoes — simply anywhere where a light scrubbing is needed.
• Vinegar is a fabric softener and serves well when put in the rinse cycle of the washing machine. Mopping with this great all-purpose cleaner is an inexpensive way to keep floors clean. Carefully combined with baking soda, it makes a great foaming toilet cleaner.
• Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant and one of the most effective blood stain removers.

Cleaning Professionals

Vancouver Carpet Cleaning

Having a cleaning service isn’t a luxury anymore. Hiring some cleaning help can be a way to balance your busy life and get more leisure time. A cleaning service provides professional assistance that can be invaluable — especially when you tackle some serious problems. Having a consistently clean house prevents insect infestations, clears clutter, and avoids potential fire hazards. The offer in Vancouver is rich and differentiated. Below are listed some of the numerous companies that can help you:

AspenClean

AspenClean, a West-Vancouver-based company and maid service, is well recognized due to its extensive offer of cleaning services. If you’re looking for an “eco-friendly” option, AspenClean may be the right choice. Its owner, Alica Sokolowski, explains that their goal is to remove bottles of chemical-based cleaning products from people’s homes and provide them with a sustainable alternative that works “just as well — or even better.“

Vancouver Carpet Cleaning

A company that specializes in carpet cleaning since 1985, Vancouver Carpet Cleaning nowadays offers more than that. It uses natural cleaning products as well, mainly lemon-based. Whether it’s your carpet, upholstery, air conditioning, or duct that needs professional help after winter, you should try calling them.

Molly Maid

Molly Maid is often proclaimed to be the best cleaning service in the whole of Vancouver. The company emphasizes the importance of keeping the environment in mind, and their Green Housekeeping program has been extremely successful. Molly Maid’s website also includes valuable information on topics related to spring cleaning, such as green cleaning tips or simple solutions for spring cleaning.

"Well done is better than well said."

Once the last checkbox has been ticked and your house is gleaming from roof to basement, celebrate a job well done. It’s sure to be a well earned spring bonus!

Spring Cleaning and Maintenance

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

“The bars that are the most crowded during the game are the best.” A myth or a golden rule? We present you with a selection of the finest places to watch hockey in Vancouver. Go and see for yourself. If you’re looking for a quiet night out, you’d better avoid bars on game day. Boisterous crowds chanting, screaming, crying, and laughing with their eyes on the TV screen at their favourite establishment: nothing can be compared to the unique atmosphere of these evenings everyone in Canada gets to experience, and Vancouverites are, of course, no exception. Young and elderly all come together. Canucks fever is evident no matter where you go, as everyone has their own creative way to cheer for the Canucks. But it’s not only the Canucks that play hockey in Vancouver; we mustn’t forget about all the other teams like the Vancouver Giants and the many small teams training the future stars of Canadian and world hockey. But for now, Go Canucks!

Black Frog Eatery (Map)

First of all, food and drinks. The menu and food are pretty much a checklist for standard Vancouver pub fare. However, if you’re willing to spend a little bit more time examining the menu, you’ll be surprised to find a lot of vegetarian options on the list. The cuisine is not too creative, but what’s important is that all the meals are prepared carefully and it really shows. The serving size is perfect — not too filling yet not too small.

The place has quite a selection of beers on tap. They’re one of few bars in Vancouver that stock a beer from Wisconsin that’s different than any other usually served in the city. Definitely worth tasting. For those who can’t consume wheat, they also offer gluten-free beer, which is very impressive.

The space just feels great. Since they have mostly big tables, it’s best to come and hang out with your friends and you won’t have to squeeze ten people to a small table like in most places. As to the TV, which is obviously very important for a match, they have a giant one with a nice couch right in front. A suggestion: come half an hour early and it’s going to be all yours for the rest of the evening. The Frog also has bleachers. Yes, that’s right, the feeling of the place with bleachers fitted in for the match is just awesome. The whole layout is great for socializing. They also mute the sound during intermissions so you can discuss the development of the match with your friends. The only downside to this place is that it is also an Edmonton bar, but if you skip nights when the Oilers are playing, it doesn’t spoil a bit of the place’s charm.

Website: www.theblackfrog.ca
Email:
Phone: (604) 602-0527

St. Augustine’s (Map)

St Augustine’s

This is just the place for all beer lovers in Vancouver. Once you see the selection of the beers offered, you’ll be bewildered. With over forty beers regularly on tap, they offer a unique beer experience along with a memorable evening spent watching the game. St. Augustine’s is large inside, so even if you’re running late, you’ll always be able to squeeze in a group of four or more people. As you enter the place, you’ll probably be thinking that you’re entering some kind of monastery, but don’t be fooled: there’s nothing saintly about this place. The service can be slow on busy nights, but you can’t hold that against them because it’s only natural to expect anywhere to have slow service when it’s packed full on a game night. The crowd is good too — not overly loud and obnoxious and just a good atmosphere.

Back to what makes this bar so special: the selection of beers is stellar. They have screens above the bar and all over the pub that show you how much of a specific kind of the beer is left, so you always know when to hurry to save the last precious drop of that night’s favourite beer. If you’re not sure which beer to choose, try a paddle sample with four different beers of your choice. The sizes are pretty generous for beer samples. They have many seasonal, local, and even in-house brewed beers. Last but not least, their nachos are heavenly.

Website: www.staugustinesvancouver.com
Email: (bar manager)
Phone: (604) 569-1911

Score on Davie (Map)

Score on Davie Interior

The interior is very nice, cozy, yet it is not a typical sports bar per se. Seating is very comfortable and design surprisingly modern. Huge TVs provide perfect angle to watch the match, it doesn’t matter where in the room you’re seated. Since the bar is hugely popular in the neighbourhood, and a lot of regulars tend to show up for the match, it is advisable to arrive at least one hour before it starts. In summer, you can enjoy services of friendly, competent and highly efficient servers both inside and on the excellent patio.

The bar also made up a few games to entertain visitors during the match, One of the favourite activities at the bar is the ticktacktoe on Canucks game nights. You get to choose nine players to putting one in each square. If the player gets a goal, assist, or fight, you can X him out. If you cross out all nine of them, you win a free beer.

Score offers also solid menu, with all the traditional suspects on the list, and their menu doesn’t change very much, but at least you always know that you can count on some standard. The place is great for brunch, lunch and dinner, they always have three specials on each day (sporting event, food special and drink special).

Website: www.scoreondavie.com
Email:
Phone: (604) 562-8526

The Charlatan (Map)

The Charlatan Interior

Have you seen Mad Men? This place looks just like it’s been torn out of the series. It has a certain chic atmosphere, yet it’s not even a bit pretentious, with seating that’s conducive to good conversation in a nightlife environment. This is not a place for fans who want a vigorous atmosphere while watching the match; the place is calmer and feels sophisticated in a way. Your experience will be enhanced by the huge projector screen they always pull down for the match.

The food in here is just fantastic, especially the appetizers. The place is a bit pricier than the surrounding bars, but it’s definitely worth it.

The selection of beers to choose from is solid too. You often come across the one that’s not your everyday beer you’d drink in most other pubs. If you’re a Guinness/Kilkenny/Strongbow (not necessarily together) fan, you’ll love this place. There aren’t too many bars in Vancouver that will serve up a proper Black & Tan, but you can add the Charlatan to the list of pubs that do. They do proper Snake Bites, too.

Website: www.thecharlatanpub.com
Email:
Phone: (604) 253-2777

The Five Point (Map)

The Five Point Exterior

This place is the hallmark of a good local. Since its renovation, it looks fabulous. Situated in a beautiful, iconic heritage hall in Mount Pleasant on South Main featuring wood panelling, leather, and crystal chandeliers, it looks very impressive but still feels cozy. The Five Point is quite popular among hockey fans, so you’d better got there early to catch a table. The angle is not a problem since the pub doesn’t just have screens above the bar. They pull down a projector screen before the match starts, so everyone can enjoy the game properly. If you don’t want to be the table too close to the projector for a good view, ask the staff to seat you at one that’s further away. It’s not very pleasant to sit in front of the whole pub staring at the game through your table.

In summer, the Five Point offers a small but very nice patio. Parking is not provided by the pub, but there are always lot of spaces along Main, so you don’t need to worry too much.

The food and drinks are nothing special in general, but they won’t disappoint you either. However, if you decide to go to the Five Point, you absolutely have to try their wings. They make the best wings in the whole of Vancouver.

Website: www.thefivepoint.com
Phone: (604) 876-5810

What are your favourite places where you watch the game with your friends? Share your suggestions and opinions with us. Do you agree with the reviews, or did you have a different experience?

Best Places to Watch Hockey in Vancouver

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

“Art is an evolutionary act. The shape of art and its role in society is constantly changing. At no point is art static. There are no rules.”
Raymond Salvatore Harmon, BOMB: A Manifesto of Art Terrorism

Street art is often seen as a crime instead of art, and it used to be dismissed by art critics and many observers as a lower kind of artistic expression. However, while the street artists themselves remain anonymous and work under cover of the night to avoid arrests and persecution, some of their works have become known all around the world, and more and more people walk around their cities with their eyes open, searching for another piece of art in the streets. The most famous street artist in the world, Banksy, has already found his way into the most prominent galleries (including 2008 Tate Modern Street Art Exhibition), and while some of his works are sold for astronomical prices, others, scattered around the streets, have proved to be capable of raising housing costs in their neighbourhoods.

Obey by Shepard Fairey

What is it about street art that led to the current hype around it? Maybe it has something to do with the romantic image of the artist in a hood escaping the authorities and reclaiming the streets to raise awareness of important social and political issues. The issue of certain subversion with the goal of creating something meaningful or beautiful in the boring and alienating urban environment echoes in many street art fans, law-abiding citizens who sympathize with a little creative rebellion or “smart vandalism” as some put it. Turning public space into a gigantic open-air gallery is quite a noble idea, after all…

Street Art Techniques

Besides traditional graffiti created with aerosol paints, street art uses a much wider variety of techniques. Even though stencils and sticker art pieces dominate the scene, artists also use mosaics, murals, street installations, wheat-pasting, or wood-blocking, as well as some newly created techniques such as guerrilla knitting or LED art. Sometimes, artists just write a message or a poem on the wall, using a simple marker, giving up on delivering their idea in a fancy way. It’s very interesting to note the solidarity among people who express themselves in the streets. While the public often appreciates quality street art, people tend to hate simple tags on the walls. However, for street artists, there’s no difference between creating a mural on a run-down wall and a tag on a newly painted house — plain walls are just too boring to be left untouched.

Vancouver Street Art Masterpieces

Two Girls by Dark

The city of Vancouver hasn’t missed out on the street art trend either. Some great street artists reside and work here, and the number of works found in the streets is constantly growing. Walking around the city, you have to run into some of them. Whether you love this kind of artistic expression or consider it a criminal offence, check out our choice of the ten most amazing street art pieces found in Vancouver and see if you don’t change your mind.

Two Girls by Dark

We chose the black and white poster of two little girls in lovely white dresses by the guru of the Vancouver street art scene, an artist who calls herself/himself Dark, as the opening work of the list. Dark’s works often feature some kind of nostalgia, taking us to the middle of the 20th century. The image evokes the feeling that the two innocent-looking and lonely girls in the big city don’t really belong there and might not be safe in the urban jungle of contemporary Vancouver. While the girl in the front is interested in something she sees above her, the other sticks to her, probably more focused on not getting separated from the curious girl than on the thing in the air.

Checker Board

Checker Board

The improvised checker board painted on a tile and attached to a brick wall takes us to another important aspect of street art: fun. It’s just enough to have a quick idea in your head and make it real. This unknown artist simply prepared a game scenario of an unreal game of checkers that actually fits the wall amazingly well with its yellow background. Passers-by can stop and take a look at possible the game development and maybe even paint it over the original. Everything is allowed when it comes to street art!

Red Monster

Red Monster

It must have been quite difficult to paint this devilish grinning monster behind the bars protecting what used to be a window in a run-down house. By putting the red creature with scary fingernails there, the protective bars take on a brand new connotation and look like prison bars keeping the monster out from the streets. The ironic thing is that many people tend to see monsters behind the windows of deserted houses, so the artist just depicted our usual fears in a playful way.

Alife by Dark

Number four is taken by another piece by Dark. This time, the possible interpretation is not so simple, and it’s up to everyone to consider what’s meant by the image. It consists of two parts: a picture of a girl, who looks a bit disadvantaged, in a dancing dress, probably making a bow to the audience, and a big, orange statement above her saying “alife.” It might be a reference to the fact that all of us crave success and acceptance and being the star of the show giving, thanks to the audience, makes the girl feel truly alive. Again, Dark uses spleen and evokes a bitter-sweet atmosphere in the work.

Unreturned Love

Unreturned Love

Number five could be called “Unreturned Love.” This piece showing a girl replying to, “I love you,” said by an unknown person by calling him “wood” stretches back to the best of the pop art and comic art tradition. Hitting the topic of anonymity and inability to form and keep any meaningful relationships in the city, the anonymous artist created a deep and very elegantly executed piece of work. The red and blue crates piled up in front of the painting create a great and unexpected supplement to the work itself. Roy Lichtenstein himself would be jealous of such a prominent showing space!

Houses by Soké

Houses by Soké

A picture of a series of little, cute houses on a white rod prove that street art doesn’t need to carry deep ideas to be great. Naive, child-like depictions of houses on four legs under the stars by an artist that calls herself/himself Soké simply brightened up the corner of the street in a calm residential part of Vancouver by ushering in a bit of fairy-tale beauty. Probably everybody would agree that works like this really shouldn’t be criminalized.

Obey by Shepard Fairey

The series of posters in front of General Motors Place were created by one of the most famous street art artists in the world, Shepard Fairey, who became a star after creating a portrait of Barrack Obama saying Hope, as well as by his signature series of works titled “Obey.” The series in Vancouver also belongs among the latter, and even though more than half of the posters are damaged or taken down at the moment, the army boot of someone striding on the grass and the girl with a scarf remain clearly visible in this Obey mosaic.

Some People Wanna Fill the World

Some People Wanna Fill the World

“Some People Wanna Fill the World” is an exceptionally well done poster that can be found on a wall full of boring commercial posters, which, however, features a series of street art posters on the top. Group of rams in the image seem to be slowly advancing into the space of the poster. A simple look at them immediately evokes the thoughtlessness of people who lack their own ideas or decisions but devotedly follow the direction of the crowd. The red colour of the picture somehow makes the message of the work even more alarming.

Hope by Dark

Hope by Dark

Dark’s work “Hope” certainly belongs among her/his best and most often mentioned pieces. In “Hope,” Dark returns to her/his usual issue of glamour and success versus the reality of a typical person’s life in the big city: the beautiful woman in designer dress in the image is painted just next to the trash container on the hidden side of the corner. By the way, here’s a little trivia for you: can you recognize the woman on the wall? We believe we’re right saying that it’s Rita Hayworth. The work is located in Mount Pleasant, near Kingsway and Broadway.

Capitalisn't

Capitalisn't

The last piece on the list is simple but certainly deserves a mention. Sometimes street art can be just a poem or a statement, leaving as strong an impression as an image. Here, an unknown artist probably wanted to state “Capitalisn’t” on the wall of the jewellery store on Robson Street. However, someone changed it to “Capitalisn,” which still makes sense, but transforms the meaning to a completely different level. In a way, this captures the essence of one feature of street art: the artists can’t ever complain about alterations to their works!

Ten Amazing Street Art Works in Vancouver

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

The common warnings about the drastic abuse of planet Earth and its resources that you hear at least once a week on TV or read in newspapers or other media has become somehow obsolete among the general public over the past few years. The hype connected to the realization that we’re running out of natural resources is often undermined by recent discoveries of new mining locations and rapid developments in renewable resources. Shiny examples of renewed hope for oil companies are Alberta’s oil sands, located in three major areas in northeast Alberta underlying 140,200 square kilometres, with the potential to give up over 175 billion barrels of oil that can be recovered with today’s technology.

However, the scary thing that only few people have been able to realize is that with figures of some of our key resources rising at a slightly increased pace, consumption is increasing ten times faster. Our society is thirstier and hungrier than ever. Our independence on crude oil and natural gas is quite young but a very powerful phenomenon.

Origins of Crude Oil

An oil refinery in Kuwait by Wikimedia
Commons

Surprisingly enough, oil fever hasn’t started in any of today’s oil giants like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Russia, or Kuwait — countries that found their liquid treasure in endless sands spreading over their territories over a hundred years after it was first discovered in the heart of Europe in 1938 by pharmacist Ignac Lukasiewicz in small village of Ulaszowice in former Austria-Hungary, now Poland. Lukasiewicz built the first oil wells and started to refine the oil, creating the ancestors of the substance as we know it today. His attempts to use refined oil as a fuel for street lamps in his neighbourhood are considered to be the foundation of the modern oil industry.

A few years after the Polish discovery, the first oil well was established in Oil Creek, Pennsylvania. Since the introduction of drilling technology, oil started to be exploited at an enormous rate in the car and aviation industries. Later on, natural gas joined the league of elite resources, having been used mostly as a fuel in heat production businesses.

The true nature of our dependence on crude oil was unmasked during the oil crisis in the ’70s. The embargo imposed on the retrieving of crude oil by Arab Countries in 1973 and the Iranian Revolution six years later led to a dramatic rise in prices on world markets. We still face the problem of increasing oil and gas prices whenever there is turmoil in the Middle East or in any other region possessing significant oil or gas reserves.

Finding Substitution

It is obvious that once we run out of fossil fuels, it would be better to be prepared for such a change. This means that we should invest as much as possible in the development of alternative fuels. Say, in 2060, our cars won’t run on petrol anymore — they’ll be running on biofuels. These might be obtained from bacteria, more specifically cyanobacteria removed from hot springs and genetically modified to produce biofuel. The US company Joule has already begun with the production of biofuels in New Mexico. They are able to produce over 200 million litres of biofuel a year from only 2,000 hectares.

We’re Barking up the Wrong Tree

Fibreoptic by Wikimedia Commons

Another substantial problem that we mostly don’t consider to be grave but that we’ll have to face soon is the scarcity of resources not very well known to general public — for example, materials used in computers, optic fibres, and informational technologies in general. These are the resources we tend to overlook but should be concerned with in the first place.

Phosphorus: The New Gold?

Every farmer will tell you that phosphorus is as crucial for crops as water. All plants need it for their development and growth. The problem with phosphorus is that it is severely limited. Our planet contains only so much, and we cannot properly synthesize or replace it. Over two thirds of the world’s phosphates are located in China, Morocco, and Western Sahara. Over ninety percent of them are used as fertilizers. Their price increased by 800 per cent between 2006 and 2008. It is estimated that in next thirty to forty years, demand will be much greater than supply and we simply won’t be able to feed the human race without recycling the phosphorus from organic leftovers.

My Computer Needs Erbium?!

It’s not only our everyday food resources that are at stake. We also need very specific kind of materials to run our IT world. The vast majority of the population doesn’t have a clue about what materials are needed to run their computers, laptops, and smart phones.

Just to illustrate our dependence on materials of the utmost scarcity, let’s take a look at a few examples.

Indium wire by Wikimedia Commons

Indium is an element used in touch screens of our smart phones and tablets. It’s also heavily used in LCD displays, flat screen televisions and computer monitors, and solar cells. Europium is single-handedly responsible for the red colour in the spectrum our computer screens use. Our emails travel via optic fibres thanks to erbium.

There are hundreds of strange materials and elements we come into contact with in our everyday lives that are crucial for us. We might run out of some of these elements in next five to ten years.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle…

Some of materials mentioned above can, however, be recycled. This is currently the only option we have if we don’t find subsidies for the elements and materials that are currently in use. An examples that is most encouraging is the acute insufficiency of rhenium. It’s probably the scarcest element of all.

Rhenium is used in making high-temperature super alloys that are used in a number of applications, such as in commercial and military (F-15 and F-16) jet engines and in natural gas turbines used to generate electricity. It’s also one of the most expensive elements, trading as highly as $11,000/kg in 2008. Despite the threatening figures, we are able to recycle it, largely thanks to General Electric, who also started the development of alloys with a much lower percentage of rhenium in them. Unfortunately, the development was halted by the discovery of a huge repository of rhenium in Queensland, Australia in 2010.

Where Should We Start Looking?

Under the water by Derek Keats

As many fantasy and science-fiction writers and authors suggest, we should look under the water. We need our captain Nemo — someone who won’t be afraid to look where nobody has ever looked before. Scientists in Tokyo have recently discovered large quantities of scarce elements residing in sediments of the Atlantic Ocean, near Tahiti and Hawaii. One kilometre squared has the potential to satisfy almost one fifth of the annual consumption of these elements. The question that remains is, ‘What will be the impact on the environment?’

The Vancouver-based company Nautilus Minerals has begun preparations to launch drilling in underwater mines in the Bismarck Sea of Papua New Guinea. A successful exploration drilling campaign conducted at Nautilus Minerals’ tenements has enabled the company to increase the resource estimate at its Solwara 1 project and to declare a maiden Inferred Resource at the nearby Solwara 12 deposit. Solwara 1 is located over 1,600 metres under the sea.

Which Resource Will Run Out First?

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks

Vancouverites have always been very keen on art, and galleries are not an exception. The series of articles about galleries in Vancouver might reveal a new, inspiring dimension of the city that will leave you speechless. Last time, we took you to the world of the mythical yet surprisingly modern world of First Nations and Inuit art. This article will attempt to reveal the best of the galleries run by people who truly understand art: artists themselves.

It is said that artists make terrible managers and that they’re unable to maintain any discipline. These are the reasons why artists often leave their galleries in total chaos but also the reasons that provide allow visitors to embrace their point of view. Artist-run galleries are often those that enable the artist to express how he feels about art in general and bring us closer to it. They show us what is relevant for artists themselves, often leaving visitors bewildered. We’ll walk you through some of the well hidden jewels of Vancouver when it comes to galleries.

221A Artist Run Centre

Webpage: 221a.ca
email:
Phone number: 604 568 0812
Address: 221A E. Georgia St. (at Main)

221A Artist Run Centre

Before they got a dedicated space in Chinatown in 2008, 221A’s projects were very different. 221A started as an initiative of students from Emily Carr University of Art and Design who, as they say, “desired a wider critical context and participatory learning space.” They achieved this through an interesting series of one-night, non-judged exhibitions that provided artists public space to exhibit, talk, and learn through 2005-2007.

The centre is a non-profit organization trying to support and broaden the contemporary design and art scene. Over its seven years of existence, the organization has become a major establishment for Critical Design. Critical design is an emerging field of contemporary art that seeks out a wider space for work that examines and challenges the application and implementation of design. The 221A organization takes on three to five curatorial residents a year, creating a Curatorial Residences Committee. The Committee is the source of “exhibitions, talks, workshops, or publications, as well as but not limited to co-productions, social and dialogical practices, public art, and performance projects.” The gallery is one of the rarest projects in Vancouver, and it definitely deserves a great deal of attention.

Gallery Gachet

Webpage: gachet.org
email:
Address: 88 East Cordova Street

Gallery Gachet

Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Gachet is one of the largest artist-run galleries in the city. It went from organizing one exhibition a year in 1993 to coordinating about 12 exhibitions a year in over 3,000 square feet of art space.

The gallery was established to provide a focal point for dialogue amongst dissident artists — those who wouldn’t have been accepted by other galleries that easily. This largely reflects in the most extraordinary character of the gallery.

Over the years, the Gachet gallery has developed a unique set of values and rules of engagement in art presentation. The uniqueness comes from the amount of attention the gallery pays to social, cultural, and economic justice in art. They proclaim the practice of art and culture as a human right and promote its role in the development of healthy society.

In the spirit of art development among the community, Gachet also reinvented the Art School, offering a variety of workshops, computer training, artist talks, film nights, and professional development sessions for artists of all levels.

ARTSPEAK

Webpage: artspeak.ca
email:
Phone number: (604) 688-0051
Address: 233 Carrall Street

Artspeak

This other non-profit centre is mostly focused on the West Coast contemporary visual and language arts production. The great thing about Artspeak is that they aim to support mainly local, young, and emerging artists and writers. However, Artspeak has a long history of cooperation with already well established and known artist from the region. Artspeak provides opportunities to exhibit, publish, and present new work to quite a significant Vancouver-based audience interested in contemporary production. In their own words:

Artspeak actively contributes to the cultural community through our commitment to artists producing challenging, innovative work in diverse media, our affiliation with like-minded groups and organizations, and the public interest we generate in contemporary art.

Artspeak was established in 1986 in association with the Kootenay School of Writing. It is quite small but surprisingly ergonomic in design. With its floor-to-ceiling front window, the gallery is anything but cramped. Clean and sparse, all its attention is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art.

Arts Off Main

Webpage: artsoffmain.ca
Phone number: 604 876 2785
Address: 216 East 28th Avenue

Arts Off Main is an exciting initiative that was established nine years ago, in 2003, by seven artists who decided to open a collective gallery to provide the space to present and sell their work and offer consignment space for other artists as well. The gallery started up at the old café place, giving it a unique atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Arts Off Main also offers high-quality framing services for very reasonable prices. The gallery’s artists form a diverse collective that has a lot to offer. The collective encompasses a wide range of media and talent.

Or Gallery

Webpage: orgallery.org
email:
Phone number: 604 683 7395
Address: 555 Hamilton St.

Or Gallery

Or Gallery resides in an exactly-100-year-old building on Hamilton Street, in one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in Vancouver. It was established in 1983, and it is currently run by director and curator Jonathan Middleton. The Or Gallery in Vancouver also has a sister gallery in Berlin, one of the world’s cradles of contemporary art. The connection to Berlin gives it a fresh and youthful outlook on the current trends in modern art.

The Or Gallery is well known for its support of conceptual experimentation, research, and proposition making. It mainly includes artists whose art practice is of a critical, conceptual, and/or interdisciplinary nature.

Galleries in Vancouver: Artist-run Galleries

Post from: Vancouver REALTOR® Jay Banks