Tickets on Sale for 2010 Countdown Concert - Featuring Feist and Ron Sexsmith
In celebration of the two-year countdown, the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad team will present a spectacular gala concert featuring Canadian singer-songwriters Feist and Ron Sexsmith. On February 12, the venerable Orpheum Theatre will resound with an eclectic blend of edgy acoustic pop, contemporary indie rock, and symphonic soundscapes. Tickets start at $59 CAD and are available for purchase by phone (604.280.4444) or online at www.vancouver2010.com.

2008 Cultural Olympiad
Culture is the second pillar of the Olympic Movement. As sport brings the world to Canada's door to compete, culture opens the door so the world can discover our country. The Cultural Olympiad will showcase the contemporary Canadian imagination through a series of three year-long festivals (2008, 2009 and 2010). The festivals will feature popular and fine arts with performances and exhibitions by a bold spectrum of creators from across the country - with something for everyone in these culturally-diverse and multi-faceted celebrations.

The 2008 Cultural Olympiad will present more than 300 performances and 10 exhibitions staged in over 40 diverse venues, delivered in partnership with 60 arts and cultural organizations from British Columbia. Programming will include contemporary, classical and Aboriginal music, theatre, dance, media, literary, visual, interdisciplinary, culinary and street art. A full list of 2008 events is available at www.vancouver2010.com.

Classic Romance at the Wedgewood Hotel
Ever wanted to enjoy one of those romantic scenes straight out of a movie? Consistently voted one of the city's most romantic hotels, the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa knows how to deliver movie-worthy romance. The hotel has several Valentine's packages available for the weekend, but the one planned for the big day itself is the most extravagant. Enjoy one night's accommodation in a luxurious guestroom or suite with a bottle of chilled bubbly in your room upon arrival. Next, share a romantic five-course Valentine's dinner for two in Bacchus Restaurant and Piano Lounge, resplendent with velvet banquettes, wing-back chairs and a roaring fire. The package also includes breakfast in bed the following morning plus complimentary valet parking and starts at $600 CAD.
www.wedgewoodhotel.com

"Get a Room" at the Pacific Palisades Hotel
Do you fall on the saucy side of the "naughty or nice" debate? A somewhat less traditional romance option is the Pacific Palisades Hotel's "Get a Room" package, which brings together a king-sized bed, a bottle of BC wine and a Kama Sutra Lover's Paintbox with three flavours of chocolate body paint. The package also includes an in-room movie and breakfast in bed. Priced from $299 CAD based on one night in an executive one-bedroom suite.
www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com

Cupid's Delight at the Coast Plaza
Impress your partner and score some new pajamas as part of the deal! The Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites' "Cupid's Delight" package is available February 7 through 17 and includes one night's accommodation in either a superior or premium suite, a bottle of red wine, some chocolate-dipped strawberries and a pair of fabulous pajamas! The package starts from $239 CAD and also includes complimentary parking.
www.coasthotels.com

Romantic Options at Hotel Le Soleil
Located in Vancouver's downtown, Hotel Le Soleil offers a couple of romantic options for those hit by Cupid's arrow. The "Romance Package", starting at $269 CAD, includes one night in a corner one-bedroom suite, along with the requisite accessories for a romantic rendezvous - chocolate-dipped strawberries, sparkling wine and a late check-out. But making this package a little different from the standard fare is the rose petal turndown service. The package also includes a keepsake bedside box, full American breakfast and complimentary valet parking.

For those with a taste for both romance and chocolate, the hotel also offers a "Chocolate Affair" package. Starting at $249 CAD, it includes a chocolate fondue for two served in your suite, a bottle of icewine, chocolate body paints and chocolate sugar body scrub, along with one night in a deluxe one-bedroom suite, complimentary valet parking and a late check-out.
www.hotellesoleil.com

Highlights this year include:

• Aeriosa, aerial dance suspended from the Granville Street Bridge
• Spirit of Place, the Emily Carr Institute's young artist exhibition
• Indie recording artists Mother, Mother
• Steel Kiss, presented by Green Thumb Theatre
• The Best Italian Variety Show Ever, presented by BellaLuna
• Vancouver Writes, an interactive evening of word play presented by the Vancouver International Writer's Festival
• Mike Battie Circus Show, a dynamic stage show for children of all ages
• Firebelly, Rainy Day Dream fire performance
• Artists and artisan studio walking tours
• Free children's activities: instrument making, circus skills and face painting
• A full program from the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society

The package, priced at $288 CAD, includes the four-hour workshop, a half-bottle of wine upon arrival and gift of a notebook and pen, one night's accommodation on March 8, French press coffee delivered to your room in the morning, breakfast at O'Doul's Restaurant in the hotel, a copy of the hotel's literature anthology Vancouver Stories, and a one-year subscription to Geist.
www.thelistelhotel.com

Named Vancouver magazine's "Restaurant of the Year" for the past three years, West will welcome Geraghty to the fold in early February. Geraghty joins the restaurant following the departure of lauded chef David Hawksworth, who will open a signature dining room in the remodeled Hotel Georgia, slated to open in 2009.
www.westrestaurant.com

1) Are hotel guests allowed to take Beau out for walks?
Certainly! Fairmont Hotel Vancouver guests who want to walk Beau or Mavis during their stay simply phone the hotel operator to book a time. It's complimentary - although you may have to "stoop and scoop" during a walk. We provide you with a leash and "Puppy Pack" that includes water and dog treats. The nearby Fairmont Waterfront Hotel also has a K9 Ambassador named Holly and she loves walking too.

2) Is that a Gucci dog collar?
Like many gentlemen that walk through the lobby of the hotel, Beau likes to stick his nose in the Gucci boutique, and one day they gave him his own designer collar! Mavis, the other Fairmont Hotel Vancouver K9 Ambassador, has a collar from Louis Vuitton.

3) Can guests bring their own dogs on holiday to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Fairmont Waterfront?
Yes, and many do. For $25 CAD ($30 CAD at the Fairmont Waterfront), dogs are treated to a plush dog bed, water bowl, toy and treats. It's become a very popular program as Vancouver is such a dog-friendly city. In fact, Vancouver has been ranked #1 in DogFriendly.com's annual ranking of the best dog-friendly cities in North America.

4) Has Beau shaken paws with any high profile people?
Beau met Celine Dion when she was here rehearsing for a private function in the hotel. It's hard for Beau to compete with Mavis though. In Mavis' six years at the hotel she has met three Prime Ministers, Robin Williams and Queen Elizabeth! She's definitely top dog in that regard.

Guests who can't bear to say goodbye to their new furry friend can keep in touch with Beau via his email address: beauthedog@fairmont.com. You can also purchase a Beau plush toy at the Fairmont store. For more information on Beau, Debbie or the Fairmont properties in Vancouver, please contact Amber Sessions at asessions@tourismvancouver.com.