Vancouver

The Sedins waltzed home to Sweden, entered the tournament, and absolutely kicked ass, propelling the Swedes to a gold medal. How dominant were they? Daniel Sedin scored 1 goal and 5 assists in 4 games. When asked post game what type of hockey "Swedish hockey" is, Daniel said: "boring." And then almost laughed. Dank was injured in the 3rd period when he was checked through an open gate by Swiss player Matthias Bieber. Daniel scored no points in the final game. Henrik Sedin finished with an astounding 4 goals and 5 assists in the 4 games he played. Dominating. He scored 2 goals and had one 1 assist in the gold medal game. How sweet is this reaction: (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/HHOF-IIHF Images) Atta boy, Hank! Now bring some of that...

Earlier this afternoon in the great Scandinavian nation of Sweden, Henrik Sedin put up two goals and an assist — including the game-winner — to lead his Tres Kronor to a World Hockey Championship title over Switzerland. It's the first time the host nation has won gold since 1986. As a fan of the Vancouver Canucks, I was sort of hoping the Sedins would help end a different title drought this spring, but I guess this will do. Here are Henrik's thoughts on the game courtesy of the IIHF's official recap: "It was a tight game," Henrik said. "It could have gone either way, I felt. It was lucky we got our first two goals pretty quickly after their first one. After we scored our third, it felt pretty calm on the bench." A great quote from Swedish Captain Staffan Kronwall on what the Sedins meant to their team: "The Sedins came in and they gave us hope. They came in and changed the team for us, really." Henrik and brother Daniel were a bit late to the party, joining Tres Kronor soon after Vancouver's four-game sweep at the hands of the San Jose Sharks, but they turned Sweden into a contender immediately upon arrival. Henrik finished with 9 points in 4 games, while Daniel finished with 6. Loui Eriksson was Sweden's top scorer with 10 points, but he played in all 10 games. The area where the Sedins helped the most was on the power play, as they were able to take advantage of the larger ice surface to feast on inferior opponents. After fighting to find a groove on the man advantage all season in the NHL, the twins looked refreshed on international ice. Fans are already using this as evidence that somehow Alain Vigneault and the coaching staff were holding Daniel and Henrik back this year, as if the extra room and the considerably lower level of opposition talent had nothing to do with it. The Sedins get all the prime offensive zone shifts and top power play minutes in Vancouver; if they're being stifled by anyone it's the world class players that are usually defending them, not the coaches. There are, however, some interesting questions that arose from their play at the Worlds. First, they were being used to kill penalties, which they have never done in Vancouver. The Sedins proved they can handle a tough defensive workload this season, so perhaps this is something that whomever is coaching the Canucks next season will consider? Secondly, the twins showed great chemistry with linemate Loui Eriksson, who is rumoured to be on the trade market. Is an Edler-for-Eriksson swap a possibility? He's one of the more well-rounded players in the NHL, and would provide the shot of offense the team has needed for two seasons now. With their new super weird gold helmets, the Sedins are one trophy away from hockey's Triple Gold Club. Even though they were a game away in 2011, somehow the twins still carry around this stigma that they can't win when it matters. Because of that, it was fun to see them not just win gold but carry a team while doing it. They proved they can win, and that at 32-years-old they still have a lot left in the tank. Any chance the new coach lets them wear those helmets next season?

Come inside and check out some photos from the latest events Urban Diner has attended over the last few weeks… Le Gavroche serves up a tingling Stinging Nettle Amuse Bouche to start off the showcase of their new menu Le Gavroche GM & Partner David Auer preparing Sea Urchin Coffee Siphon Fresh Sea Urchin – unique and very tasty from the ocean coffee pot GM & Partner David Auer preparing The Salmon Jar with staff at the LE GAVROCHE FRANÇAIS MODERNE GM & Partner David Auer serves up a smoking Nitrogen Sorbet & Herbs at LE GAVROCHE FRANÇAIS MODERNE An impressive collection of wine in the viewing cellar at LE GAVROCHE FRANÇAIS MODERNE Venison and Hay served in a cloud of smoke at LE GAVROCHE FRANÇAIS MODERNE New 2012 vintage wines are featured in a tutored tasting at the BC VQA Vintage 2012 Preview at at Hawksworth Restaurant Vintage 2012 table – Nathan Goltz, Sandhill Vineyards,  Rob Van Westen, Van Westen Vineyards, Michael Bartier, Okanagan Crush Pad, Theo Siemens, Okanagan Crush Pad, Warwick Shaw, Tantalus Vineyards, Anthony Gismondi, host from the Vancouver Sun Journalist John Schreiner and Tantalus Vineyards Viticulturist Warwick Shaw at Vintage 2012 Wines from Vintage 2012 event – Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Gewurztraminer, Tantalus Vineyards Old Vines Riesling, Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc, Van Westen V Vintage 2012 participants – Warwick Shaw, Tantalus Vineyards, Rob Van Westen, Van Westen Vineyards, Andrew Moon, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Nathan Goltz, Sandhill, Michael Bartier, Okanagan Crush Pad, Howard Soon, Sandhill, Theo Siemens, Okanagan Crush Pad, Anthony Gismondi, host from the Vancouver Sun Vintage BC 2012 celebration with Warwick Shaw, Tantalus Vineyards, Andrew Moon, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, and Nathan Goltz, Sandhill

FOLLOW ME FOODIE: The best thing I ever ate… By Mijune Pak , Follow Me Foodie – WE Vancouver Published: May 17, 2013 10:00 AM Updated: May 17, 2013 10:37 AM I am constantly asked “What’s the best restaurant in Vancouver?”, “What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?” and to be honest, I don’t know. How could I? I haven’t tried everything in the world yet. If I tried every single restaurant in Vancouver, maybe I could answer the first question, but even so it would be based on my favourite and not “the best”. Take, for instance, pizza. People are always looking for the best place for pizza and my answer is always “depends”. Do you want Neapolitan style? New York style? Chicago style? Crispy crust? Foldable crust? There are so many variations of pizza; how can I possibly recommend one? And even if I recommended my “best” pizza place, it would be very debatable since it is all based on preference. Taste is not only highly subjective, but purely personal. I am guilty of asking “where’s the best” questions too, particularly to things not relating to food. I always try and put it into context relative to time, place and other things I have tried, but still the question is not the ‘best’ to ask. Whether “best of” lists are used to increase SEO or quickly get the attention of the majority, the word has little substance without context and information to back it up. The once powerful word has little meaning when it is used without passion, integrity and conviction. If you really mean it, then by all means use it — sparingly. - Read the full article Read my full “best of” article for recommendations for unique items which have little to be compared to. See more Follow Me Foodie stories from Mijune in the WE Vancouver: FOLLOW ME FOODIE: The “Forget-Me-Nots” of Vancouver’s restaurant scene FOLLOW ME FOODIE: Wild BC spot prawn season begins

Check out the highlights. The Sedins, Loui Eriksson and Jhonas Enroth put on a show to advance to the gold medal game vs Switzerland on Sunday.

My long weekend is starting a day later than most, but the weekend has begun! We hung out at #21 with the Hemenways after my shift, so that was delicious and a great way to kick off my three days off. I’ve got a couple of commitments this weekend – the theatre photo shoot for the Surrey students and the possibility of going to the Vancouver Quilting Guild meeting on Monday. It could happen! If I get my Boston flag done tomorrow, I could carpool to the meeting with Amy for the evening meeting. FUN! I had better get a lot done tomorrow. After I sleep in. Other than that, I don’t have any plans but housework and some sewing, which I’d better actually do. Even though we’ve lived here 6 months, I still don’t have curtains hung up (except in the living room), so I really need to get the curtains up for the bedroom. I’m sure the neighbours are tired of seeing us in our underpants every morning. I think I need to hang the curtains from the ceiling all the way down in puddles on the floor because the window is an odd, skinny rectangle shape and it is not placed in the centre of the room, so it’s a bit off centre. I’ve been putting off this task because I’m not sure what to do, but it’s time to try something. I’ll just try SOMETHING so at least we won’t be showing our nudities to the neighbourhood. And when I need breaks, I’ll head over to #21. There is so much adorable there, it will be a welcome break from the chores. And I can go any time I feel like it over the next 3 days. Huzzah!

The mainstream media and most of us fans have been laying on the negativity pretty thick since the Canucks got swept by the Sharks. The MSM is waiting to hear the news that Alain Vigneault has been fired, which may not happen. The Alexander Edler knee job on Eric Staal in the IIHF World Championships just adds to the negativity. And Gollum himself wasted no time jumping on that wagon. It gets a bit much after a while. There are positives to draw from the current state of this organization. Yes, I am one of the voices who wants Vigneault replaced. The winning-est coach in Canucks' history needs to be released. I think his shelf life has expired and a new voice in the room is required. What bugs me the most about Alain is how often he has stated that there is enough leadership in the dressing room to get the job done. It's like an autonomy. Now, I don't know what Vigneault says to the players in between periods and games to debug that theory. All we see is bag skates and line juggling from him. Am I right? I also see an unfair or inconsistent way that AV goes about letting his players earn their ice time based on performance, which he has also preached. I mean, there have been plenty of times where the Sedins should sit. Or where Alex Edler should sit. Take your pick. It's as if anybody not named Sedin or Burrows, Edler or Kesler get free reign to play out their lousy play with big minutes and everybody else is getting dicked. It's not right. It's an inconsistent promotion process. That is on AV. That needs to changed, or move on. Can you remember a good story about AV motivating his players aside from the odd bag skate and line shuffling? I hear super stories about Red Wings coach Mike Babcock motivating his guys in these playoffs. Hell, even Babcock's pressers are composed and awesome. He is a winner. I look back at AV laughing at Kyle Wellwood being called a breakout player in front of the media a few years back and that really says it all as far as disrespect goes, right? Always hated that. It's juvenile. AV has been a wondrous coach, but I'd like to see a different face and approach, in both the dressing room and in front of the media. Having said that, AV could stay and Mike Gillis could revamp the team and for all I know AV could work wonders with it. It is a possibility. Vigneault has proven to be adaptive. Glass half full. Speaking of revamping the team, I can see some positives here. But the ball is in Mike Gillis' court. Hell, Gillis is going to have an insane summer. He needs to get the Canucks under the lesser salary cap, trade Roberto Luongo, draft like a fiend, pick the players he can buy out (maximum of 2) to get to / under the new salary cap (I assume Ballard for sure), re-sign current Canuck free agents (or not) and then hit the July 1 free agent signing market frenzy. That's why he gets paid the big bucks.. I am fairly confident that he will get the job done. Count me in as a Gillis supporter. Now, he has said that the Canucks need to get younger, bigger. I don't have a problem with that. Most observers will say that the current farm team is shallow. It kind of is. However, there are several key players in the system that can make an impact. They are: Forwards Jordan Schroeder (center), Nicklas Jensen (right wing), Brendan Gaunce (center), Anton Rodin (left wing), Darren Archibald (left wing), Bill Sweatt (left wing). Defencemen Peter Andersson, Yann Sauve, Adam Polasek, I will throw Frank Corrado in here as well as Chris Tanev missed the late part of the season and playoffs due to injury. Keep in mind: the Canucks have employed more experienced defencemen and forwards in the last few years in order to go for the Cup. Well if what Mike Gillis says is true, the kids are going to get a bigger chance than what they have been given lately. And that is good! Especially up front. Jordan Schroeder scored 3 goals and 9 points in 31 games with limited minutes with the Canucks this season. He scored 12 goal

miss604 posted a photo: Rebecca Bollwitt Miss604.com :: sixty4media.com

A Finnish Bhangra band called Shava photo credit: HSBC City of Bhangra/VIBC One of Vancouver’s telltale signs of spring is back. The 9th annual HSBC City of Bhangra Festival runs from May 30 – June 8. Punctuated by colour and rhythm the festival attracts bhangra groups from as far as Brazil, India and Finland to our fair city.   “We’re trying to feature new acts like young Canadian singer Inder Kooner. By supporting acts like Inder, the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society builds community for everyone through the celebration of bhangra,” says Sukhi Ghuman, a member of the festival organizing committee. “We really want all cultures and communities to feel welcome at the festival.” Originating about 500 years ago, Bhangra was invented by wheat farmers in India’s Punjab province. Toiling in the hot, golden fields Punjabi farmers would dance and sing about village life to fight the monotony of working all day during harvest season. In the last 40 years or so Bhangra has surged in popularity, attracting fans in the global south and north, becoming the dance brand of India. Starting in 2005, the HSBC City of Bhangra was so successful it now includes events in both Vancouver and Surrey. Photo credit: VIBC/HSBC City of Bhangra  “During this year’s festival, there will be over 20 hours of free programming to enjoy. We’re expecting about 10,000 people to attend the different events throughout the 10 days. There are about 200 performers,” explains Guhman who used to be part of the UBC bhangra team. Vancouver highlights for the 2013 HSBC City of Bhangra include: rePercussion -  a drum-filled reception featuring the percussion talents of artists from Zimbabwe, Cuba, the UK and Surrey’s Dhol Nation Academy. rePercussion kicks the festival off at the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre May 30 from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Lunchtime Bhangra – the downtown lunch crowd can take a dance break and observe dance shows on Robson between Howe and Hornby Streets June 3 from noon – 1:00 p.m. Downtown Bhangra – (my personal favourite) gather after work on Friday June 7 for an evening of bhangra moves like the Jhummer and Chutki Lehria. Dance troupes and musical performances go from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on the West Georgia side of the Vancouver Art Gallery between Hornby and Howe Streets.  Non-stop Bhangra – after the outdoor performances June 7 put on your dance pants to catch Dj Harpz, Dj Anjali and The Incredible Kid at the Vancouver FanClub from 10:00 p.m. until late. For a full list of HSBC City of Bhangra events visit here. Who is your favourite local bhangra dance team? Let us know in the comments section below.

Thirty-three years ago today, early on a Sunday morning, I was in North Vancouver at a frend’s house with a bunch of other folks recovering from what had been a major party the night before.  My eyes hurt, my head hurt, and I was sure that the big bang I heard, and the small tremors that swept up my legs, were all part of the painful recovery process.  But I wasn’t the only one to hear and feel those things, and we began to wonder. There was no internet or 24-hour news stations then, and it was probably a while before we learned what had gone on south of us. Mount St. Helens had blown its head off, and for hours we sat around watching KOMO or KING, gazing in awe as dust settled on towns for miles around, gazing in awe at the power of the mountain. This was not a day to easily forget.