Please go visit the newly furnished Helmcken Park. It is now a truly wonderful place to relax and enjoy a coffee. While there,  the exotic Mimosa trees are not to be missed.

We’ve highlighted a few deals for you:

Bella Garnet Salon is offering a $55 haircut plus scalp massage for you and your mom from May 6- 11. You can also enjoy a free glass of wine and chocolates while getting your hair done.

On May 10, bring your mom to Aruhndara, a modern oriental spa boutique, and relax to the exotic and sensual scent of “Glow Again”. You can also get a free manicure from LACC Beauty while you are there. RSVP at info[at]aruhndara[dot]com to reserve your spot.

Extend the sensual experience with an aromatherapy massage and paraffin hand treatment from Czechrose Natural Therapy. Regular price of the package is $159. If you purchase before May 12 you can get it for $69.

… and for great prizes:

RTown Yaletown is giving away a truly unique experience called a sound massage. Contest ends on Friday May 10.

Westcoast Hot Yoga has partnered with Minami restaurant, Aveda Institute and Bella Garnet Salon for their I ♥ MOM Contest. Like their Facebook page and leave a comment to win:

• 2 10-day unlimited hot yoga passes
• 2 Wash & Styles at Aveda Institute
• 2 “Fabulous” manicures at Bella Garnet Salon
• 1 $100 gift card to Minami

Contest ends on Sunday May 12.

If you are looking for more Mother’s Day gift ideas, visit one of our unique shops or bring her to any of our award-winning restaurants. We’re sure she’ll love it!

On June 23, 2013 the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k run/walk takes place. The Scotiabank Yaletown staff and the Yaletown community will be participating in this event and supporting Music Heals.

Music Heals is a charitable foundation which works to raise awareness of the healing powers of music and fundraises for music therapy and related services across Canada. The Scotiabank Yaletown team needs your help in raising $5,000.00 for the music therapy programs and initiatives in BC.  You can support this goal by joining or sponsoring the team through their event page.

March 8^th is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum”. Today we recognize and celebrate the achievements of women for the past 100 years. At the same time it is calling for opportunities to further progress the cause and to draw attention to working conditions among women.

We’re really proud that Yaletown has created an environment that attracts and retains successful women-owned business in Vancouver.

Here’s a list (to name a few):

Barking Babies

Basquiat

Bombay Brow Bar

Divine Vines

Fine Finds

Fuse Pan Asian Express

Stripped Wax Bar

Yaletown Photography

Who runs the world? Girls! Happy International Women’s Day!

Today is Global Atomic’s Grand Re-Opening Party. Their new location is at 1144 Mainland Street. They will have door prizes and special sales in store for the event.

Tomorrow, you can join the Fine Finds friends & family 13^th anniversary party at 1014 Mainland Street. Tasty snacks, champagne and a fun photo booth where you can get your picture taken await you.

Additionally, the Yaletown BIA offers you a chance to win a pair of Day Passes to the Vancouver Fashion Week. You can find the details at: Yaletown Loves Fashion Week.

With over 20 digital bulletin board screens placed in local Yaletown businesses, this media partnership will help keep you connected to Yaletown Community Information. Stay connected with Local Events, Hot Deals, Bloggers…and more. Be on the lookout for these screens at businesses including Bean Around The World, Nesters Market, Pharmasave, Yaletown Liquor Store and more!

If you’re hosting a public event in Yaletown, be sure to submit the information here: yaletowninfo.com/events/add-your-event
Approved Yaletown events will be featured in an event posting, on RTOWN Yaletown screens, and on the Yaletown event calendar. As a Yaletown BIA member, events also receive social media coverage.

If you’re interested in building your brand awareness and learning more about our partner RTOWN Yaletown please contact David Kington.

Ask about RTOWN Yaletown’s 50% off Introductory Offer to Yaletown Community Businesses (terms and conditions apply)

While not every work environment may be suitable to have dogs running around, the Yaletown BIA does have a couple of dogs! Research has shown dogs in the office can improve morale and reduce stress among employees.

An atypical request came in last Tuesday; our furry co-worker was asked to partake in a photo shoot with Yaletown Photography. Once we discovered it was for a submission to the Ellen DeGeneres show, we were glad to allow Jasper, the Labradoodle to pose with a male underwear model.

Here are a couple of teaser photos from the shoot:

www.yaletownphotography.com

Although it’s not fully understood how bringing a pet to the office improves morale, having Jasper here to model in a photo shoot certainly set the office abuzz for the week!

As a part of the Vancouver 125 Legacy Projects, Places That Matter celebrates publicly nominated spaces which shaped Vancouver’s future and continued to tell the stories of Vancouver’s past.

Photo Credit: Vancouver Public Library

Recreation Park was Vancouver’s first athletic park. From 1905 – 1913, the park was home to Vancouver’s Northwestern League baseball team. It was located on the block between Smithe, Nelson, Homer, and Hamilton Streets.

In 1907, the first gas station opened in Vancouver at Smithe and Cambie St. . Operated by Imperial Oil, the gas was dispensed from a hot water tank using a rubber garden-hose.

We’ll keep you informed when the community celebration is scheduled!
Read more at: www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org

Interested in sponsoring a Places That Matter plaque?
There are opportunities available! Call Jessica at the Vancouver Heritage Foundation 604.264.9642 ext.305 to inquire.

Our final feature are gift ideas for your coworkers.

After a long stressful workday, a little relaxation and some much-needed piece and quiet is called for. Aruhndara is offering special Christmas baskets filled with ‘wellness for at home’. The “wellness” baskets are filled with soaps, massage oils, fragrant oils or bath essences. Aruhndara also offers other products such as lip balms and body lotions.

A classic gift that nearly everyone appreciates is a good bottle of wine. Swirl Wine Store provides a large variety of wines with tons of Canadian wines in-store. They also carry Reidel wine glasses, which are a casual, elegant and eye catching gift. Choose from a variety of colours (as shown in the photo below), or get the classic clear glasses.

For the co-worker who doesn’t drink wine, how about some tea?  Teaja carries a vast collection of loose teas. Whether black tea, green tea, white tea or herbal tea you will find the right one for your co-worker.

Yaletown is known for its restaurants, and a voucher from any of them is always a great gift option. Burgers and steaks from Hamilton Street Grill, oysters from Rodney’s Oyster Bar or Japanese tapas from Hapa Izakaya – there are many options available.

Come out to CandyTown and shop in Yaletown for your holiday presents.

Check our other gift guides:

• November 13 » Gifts for Dogs
• November 15 » Gifts for Men
• November 20 » Gifts for Women

Today is all about the women in our lives!

A hot cup of tea and a lovely chat with friends makes a perfect afternoon on a cold winter day. The Cross Décor & Design has the perfect teapot for every woman who loves tea and stylish accessories. The Elephant Teapot is cute, elegant, and a nice display on almost any table. The teapot is made of white porcelain and has an 800 mL capacity. Additionally, The Cross also has an Elephant Creamer, Sugar Pot and mini Elephant Salt & Pepper Shaker to complete the set.

Jewellery can brighten the darkest winter day. Fine Finds Boutique carries a large selection of different jewellery, and the best part is that they’re produced and designed by local designers. Whether you’re looking for something for a special occasion or  for everyday wear, you can find it all at Fine Finds’ Yaletown boutique.

For fall fashion, or beauty and spa treatments, Yaletown has many options.

Try Jenny Fleur loves or Marimekko for fashionable clothing and accessories.

BeautyMark and Skoah are both perfect stores to find great beauty products for every skin type.

Check back for our other gift guides:

• November 13 » Gifts for Dogs
• November 15 » Gifts for Men
• November 22 » Gifts for Coworkers