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The smell of a fresh Douglas fir in your home is a definite sign Christmas is almost here!

If you want it to last until the big day, Vancouver Fire suggests buying a tree with healthy green needles that don’t fall off when you touch it.

If you’re buying a fake one, make sure it’s flame resistant. They also say you should never place a lit candle on or near the tree.

Other tips:

-Make sure your Christmas lights are in good shape
-Blow out your candles before you head out or go to bed
-Don’t leave pots unattended on the stove
- If your smoke alarm is more than ten years old, replace

From http://www.news1130.com/news

Alcohol consumption is on the rise in BC.Figures related to drug and alcohol use in the province are about to be released in a report tomorrow.

Dr. Tim Stockwell with the BC Centre for Addictions Research says the report shows we’ve been drinking more alcohol in the last few years.

“Alcohol consumption has been greatly increasing, faster than in many countries over the last ten years, and in BC we’ve topped it going up 9% in the last five years, and rising,” says Stockwell.

He says consumption in and of itself isn’t the issue…it’s the costs associated with the impact it has on health, crime and human suffering, if consumption turns into abuse.

Stockwell says there are two major reasons why alcohol use is up: 1) the price of liquor has not been increasing as fast as other consumer goods, and 2) the privatization of liquor stores.

The provincial health officer will also be issuing a report about specific costs related to alcohol misuse in the province within a couple of weeks.

From http://www.news1130.com

		THE WINE, THE SITE AND THE MANEric V. Orange has had a diverse and distinguished 20+ year career within the wine industry. After an enlistment in the Submarine Service of the United States Navy, Eric joined an ex-shipmate who was attending the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York. He took a job at Millbrook Vineyards outside of Poughkeepsie and spent almost five years learning to grow grapes and make wine as the Vineyard Supervisor. Two other wine related positions that he held in New York were Retail/Wholesale Wine Sales at Cascade Mountain Vineyards and Customer Service Manager for the short lived Wine Society of America, a company attempting to sell wine across the country, legally, through the three-tier system.
Eric moved back to his hometown to attend college and took a part time job at a 105 yr old private club which quickly became a full time position as the Bar Manager/Wine Steward. That job led to a position as a Wine Representative for a local Wholesaler, which in turn led to a position as District Manager for Paterno Imports in Colorado.During five and a half years with Paterno, Eric attained certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers (1st phase) and a Master of Wine Education certification from the International Wine Guild. He is a member of the Society of Wine Educators. He also served on the board of the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), Denver Chapter. Leaving Paterno to pursue his desire of combining years of wine experience with the burgeoning Internet, Eric attended several months of computer courses and then developed a website for a multi-state retail liquor chain. After Eric’s wife accepted a promotion and a transfer to Houston, Eric was recruited as Area Manager for WineShopper.com, another company attempting to sell wine across the country through the three-tier system. Finally, he decided to develop his idea for LocalWineEvents.com Eric and his family currently live just outside of Philadelphia.

read more http://www.localwineevents.com

As we inch closer to the Vancouver civic election on November 15th, candidates from all parties are attending all candidates meetings this week.On Monday evening, the Victoria Drive Business Improvement Association is hosting a meeting from 6 to 8pm.

The meeting is open to all Vancouver voters and will be held at the Victoria Drive Community Hall.

On Wednesday evening, it’s Strathcona’s turn.

The Strathcona Business Improvement Association has teamed up with the Strathcona Resident’s Association for the neighbourhood’s very first all candidates meeting.

Candidates from NPA, Vision Vancouver and COPE will all be there to answer questions from the community.

The event kicks off at 6pm and will take place at Lord Strathcona Elementary School on Pender Street.

From http://www.news1130.com/news

Vancouverites selling Obama finger puppets and planning victory bashes

Call it what you like. Obamamania. We’ve got a crush on Obama. Whatever it is, Vancouver’s got it bad.

With just a day to go before one of the most historic elections in U.S. history, Vancouverites are selling Obama finger puppets, volunteering for his campaign and even planning his victory celebration.

Luke Black, whose family owns Deja Vu International Hair Studio on Commercial Drive, is one of many hosting a party Tuesday evening to watch the voting results roll in.

“All different types of people are going to be here. Young and old. Every nationality you can think of,” he says, standing in his studio before a TV blaring CNN’s constant election coverage.

Outside, he’s set up a table to sell T-shirts featuring the Illinois senator.

Black, who’s not an American but has family in the States, says that if the polls are right and Obama claims the White House Tuesday night, he’ll take to the streets to celebrate.

“If he wins, I’m going to cry. If he loses, I’m going to cry,” Black said.

read more from http://www.canada.com

Vancouver BC For Obama!

Americans living in Vancouver Canada who support Barack Obama! -All Vancouverites (past, present and future- all are welcome regardless of nationality) supporting Obama. For anyone interested we do have a very active local chapter of Democrats Abroad. For more info please register at: http://www.democratsabroad.org But independent voters and republicans are more than welcome here. For voter registration help please see: www.votefromabroad.org Just answer the questions and if fill out all the necessary form, you print, sign and mail, DONE! You are a voter.

From http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/AmericansinVancouverBCForObama

Photo from http://flickr.com/photos/vancouvergo/1769287129/

Hallowe’en is just over two weeks away. Goblins, ghosts and other haunts can get in the spirit at the PNE’s Fright Nights.

The annual attraction kicks off tonight at 6pm, and runs right through November 1st.

This year’s event features five new haunted houses, a “Nightmare Maze,” and 13 rides in the dark! But organizers say it does get busy so get your tickets early.

photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/soc_justice/2917167528/in/pool-fearlesscity

There have been a lot of statements about BC being recession-proof but is there any way BC can avoid the economic slowdown?

It depends on who you talk to but there is some consensus BC and the rest of the West will at least do better than places like Ontario.

Oil and natural gas will help provide a buffer and economists like Benjamin Tal at CIBC World Markets say even with oil dropping to $90 a barrel, it’s still high enough to pump sufficient revenue into the economy to escape a recession.

Tal says it’s clear the West is losing momentum, but it’s coming from a very high level.

“That’s not a weak economy. That’s simply a strong economy that’s shifting gears.”

Victor Adair with MF Global Markets tells Global News no part of the world is safe from the economic storm, though BC may not get hit as hard.

But BC’s commodity-based economy is beginning to feel the effects of a drop in world imports and falling commodity prices.

Predictions are for anywhere from another 6 to 18 months of economic pain.

From http://www.news1130.com

Stock markets in Canada and around the world took another alarming dive yesterday, with economists warning that the U.S.-led financial crisis will hit Canada hard.

Bay Street’s benchmark S&P/TSX composite index, which fell by more than 1,000 points during the day — a record — eventually closed down 572 points at a three-year low of 10,230, following the worst week in eight years on the TSX.

Just