This seems to be the week to be charitable, as many cold weather and Christmas charities start ramping up this month their plea is seen in and around Vancouver. Here are six things:
1. Movember is not new to Canada. Rumour has it that more people participate in moustache growing and money-raising in Canada than in Australia where it started. Team Lip Dust is the team I’m sending people to this year; if you get a moment, please head over to their site and help them raise money for men’s prostate cancer.
2. The Vancouver Art Gallery. One of the more fabulous donation evenings in Vancouver is Tuesdays at the art gallery. Every Tuesday night from 5:30-9, the entry fee is a donation. The amount can be whatever you feel appropriate. With entry, you have access to all the exhibits.
3. Hope at the Hospital. The Christmas lights are lit at St. Paul’s Hospital for the Lights of Hope campaign, where they will remain until January.
4. Blanket BC: This charity collects blankets and distributes them amongst Vancouver’s homeless and working poor. This weekend is the Drive the Line Campaign, where transit workers will be collecting blankets from eight Canada Line Stations.
5. Thieves on Granville. Not really a charitable donation but they’re common on Granville. There’s even a sign or two on the strip warning tourists of pickpockets. Watch your debit and credit card as well; both of mine have been skimmed recently… the biggest deterrent is having a chip card.
6. French Toast Recipe. Finally, French Toast. One of Nina’s friends proudly declared on Friday that this French Toast recipe was the best in the world and that she planned to come over every Friday to eat it:
French Toast
Required: 4 eggs, 2/3 cup coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, thick slices of homemade bread.
1. Beat eggs, coconut milk, and cinnamon together. Whisk until well blended.
2. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture. Grease a large skillet on heat to medium-high heat. Add as many slices of bread onto the skillet as will fit at a time. Fry until brown on both sides, flipping the bread when necessary.
3. Serve hot with butter, maple syrup, and whatever toppings desired.
