Some event highlights include:
(Dates subject to change)

• February 12, 2010 - Opening Ceremonies at BC Place
• February 14, 2010 - Men's Freestyle Moguls at Cypress Mountain
• February 25, 2010 - Ladies Figure Skating at the Pacific Coliseum
• February 28, 2010 - Men's Gold Ice Hockey at GM Place.

• Hotel boom: A number of new hotels are joining Vancouver's skyline in preparation for the Games including the Loden Vancouver (opening 2008) and the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver (set to open January 2009).
• Airport-downtown rapid transit: The Canada Line, an extension to Vancouver's Skytrain rapid transit line is set to be completed by November 2009. The Canada Line will take visitors from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver's Waterfront Station in about 25 minutes.
• Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre: The expanded Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre will be completed in early 2009. The beautiful new waterfront facility will function as the International Broadcast Centre during the Games, while afterwards it will contribute to Vancouver's attractiveness as an international meeting and convention destination.
• Sea-to-Sky Highway: The scenic highway connecting West Vancouver and Whistler is being upgraded in a massive project. The new highway will reduce driving time between the cities and was part of the Olympic bid process.
• Downtown Vancouver Live Sites: Planning continues on a number of Vancouver "Live Sites" including one at David Lam Park and another on Georgia Street. During the Olympic period, these alcohol-free sites will feature free main stage entertainment, giant broadcast screens, local artists, sponsor activities and the opportunity to mingle with guests and athletes from around the world.

The VSO was recently awarded its first Grammy, winning in the "Best Instrumental Soloist(s) with Orchestra" category. It was awarded for a recording of violin concertos performed by Canadian violinist James Ehnes and conducted by VSO Music Director Bramwell Tovey. With the Grammy award sealed up, it's on to the Canadian Juno Awards, where the same record has been nominated for "Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment". The Juno Awards will take place on April 6 in Calgary.
www.vancouversymphony.ca
www.ticketstonight.ca

• Gastown is gaining a reputation for being the hottest neighbourhood for dining in the city, and Cobre Restaurant is certainly adding to the appeal. The hot spot offers a "Nuevo Latino" menu reflecting the cuisine of Central and South America, while the name Cobre, which means "copper" in Spanish, refers to the warm, inviting room and copper-paneled ceiling.
  Sample dish: BC red snapper ceviche y arbol chili wax bean escabeche
  www.cobrerestaurant.com
• The fashionable Yaletown neighbourhood is home to Vancouver's newest steakhouse, Pinkys. With an urban twist on the traditional, the restaurant offers a "new classics" menu built around Sterling Silver beef and their signature oversized martini cocktails, all served in the low-key glam room.
  Sample dish: Steak and lobster or crab leg, served with lemon butter
  www.pinkyssteakhouse.com
• In the funky Commercial Drive neighbourhood, new dining entry Timbre Restaurant offers casual Canadian food and live music. The room has a "Northern" style to it, complete with warm woods, original oil paintings, and huge roller-windows that open to the street, allowing diners to become part of the streetscape.
  Sample dish: Grilled pork chop with apple barbecue sauce, Yukon mash and seasonal vegetables
  www.timbrerestaurant.com

1) What do visitors to the Museum of Anthropology see when they look into your digitization studio?
It's very unusual for the public to be able to see this type of work, and people are fascinated. Each day, new racks of objects arrive to be photographed, and visitors watch us position, light and photograph each object from different angles - be it a mask, textiles, jewelry… We've got a lot of technology in the studio: six cinema-screen monitors and two very high-end digital cameras. People find it pretty neat to see a professional studio in action. We also angle our monitors to the window so visitors can see the fascinating detail we capture.

2) What does it feel like to be a "living exhibit" at the MOA?
It took a little bit of getting used to! People sometimes say things thinking you can't hear them, or see them. Other people actually knock on the window and ask questions. It's been very interesting. Especially when teenage boys are visiting!

3) How many objects have been photographed to date?
To date we've photographed about 19,000 objects. Of that, I estimate I've photographed about 6,000. We have much more to do, but as of May our studio will be moving out of public view. So this is your last chance to see us at work.

4) What has been your most memorable object to photograph?
We had some beautiful little Korean fabric puppets that I really enjoyed photographing. And today we had some necklaces from Central America made with tiny bird sculls and feathers.

5) What is your favourite thing about the Museum of Anthropology?
It is profoundly beautiful to stand in the Great Hall surrounded by the totem poles. Especially in the early evening when the sun is setting. The building was designed by legendary Canadian architect, Arthur Erickson, and is located on ancestral Musqueam land. The view is incredible - you can see the mountains, ocean and forest all around you.

The MOA is currently undergoing renovations and an expansion that will increase its current size by almost 50 per cent, adding new exhibition space, conference space and a research wing. To learn more about the Museum of Anthropology or Jessica Bushey, please contact Amber Sessions (asessions@tourismvancouver.com).