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44 things that made Vancouver Awesome this week

Take a break from the news cycle and help us celebrate the things we covered this week that are making Vancouver Awesome with a capital “A.”

Take a break from the news cycle and help us celebrate the things we covered this week that are making Vancouver Awesome with a capital “A.”

January 13-19, 2018

1. We dropped the sixth episode of our Vancouver Is Awesome weekly podcast this week. Our guest: Writer Travis Lupick on his new book about Vancouver's opioid crisis of the 1990s.

2. Sometimes it's foggy: 20 photos that captured last weekend’s gorgeous foggy weather

 Photo courtesy Ball Pit PartyPhoto courtesy Ball Pit Party

3. Hop in! There's a boozy ball pit with 200,000 LED-illuminated balls coming to Vancouver.

4. A Vancouver-based group has garnered over 200,000 signatures so far on a petition advocating "free movement" between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

5. It's Hot Chocolate Festival time. Here are 19 of the weirdest flavours to try. (Donkey milk, anyone?)

6. Nice buns: Vancouver's Cartems has rolled out new vegan cinnamon buns.

7. For those who prefer pies, The Pie Hole has a brand new Burnaby shop.

 Photo: Shutterstock.comPhoto: Shutterstock.com

8. The books are baaaaack! Indigo is opening a new 2-level flagship store on Robson in former Forever 21.

9. It's been a long time coming, but Stanley Park Brewing is still a go for former Fish House spot, says Park Board.

10. Later this week, the brewpub-restaurant landed its liquor licence.

11. Backstory break: 5 things you didn’t know about the Gastown steam clock.

12. Membership has its privileges: Soon you can borrow all kinds of stuff from these shipping containers.

13. This week the New York Times' food critic, Pete Wells, rhapsodized about Vancouver's Kissa Tanto.

14. Here's how George Belliveau uses theatre to help veterans suffering from PTSD.

 Sydney Robertson, An 18-year-old Richmondite, launched her natural cosmetic business with her pocket money. Photo submittedSydney Robertson, An 18-year-old Richmondite, launched her natural cosmetic business with her pocket money. Photo submitted

15. Meet the 18-year-old UBC student who started her own cosmetics company.

16. Good news for Vancouver AND Toronto, as Tractor Foods expands in both cities.

17. Michelle Obama added a second Vancouver speaking event to her appearance here.

18. For Vancouverites heading north (on a budget), here's a look inside Whistler’s upcoming “pod hotel."

19. And, in another interesting bit of regional hotel news...you can book a "quickie" at this Victoria hotel.

20. A Vancouver artist’s new installation spotlights mental illness within the black community, running during Black History Month.

 Photo courtesy The Comic StrippersPhoto courtesy The Comic Strippers

21. No nudity, just comedy: The “Comic Strippers” improv show is a cheeky take-off on male stripping.

22. Facebook’s first scripted TV series “Sacred Lies” to film in Vancouver.

23. Our 500 Coffees series continues with restaurateur and Canadian food advocate Eric Pateman.

24. This carabiner is tough, durable and made from aerospace titanium.

25. Vancouver museum-goers joined in the global #MuseumSelfieDay this week.

26. Well, some people are happy about the Cambie Bridge bike lane news this week.

27. And the Vancouver Aquarium's announcement about ending their cetacean program is also from the divisive news department.

28. KPU butts out, on all campuses.

29. Two of Vancouver's malls are among the most profitable in Canada.

30. A magical Harry Potter-themed brunch is coming to Vancouver.

 Strawberry Frosted Flake Double Baked Croissant (Photo courtesy Beta5)Strawberry Frosted Flake Double Baked Croissant (Photo courtesy Beta5)

31. Yummmm....Beta5 puts new weekend brunch croissants on the menu.

32. Big brew news: Tap & Barrel to take over Steel Toad Brewing space.

33. Further of note for beer fans is this "Brews Cruise" public transit map.

34. Perhaps of interest is this beer made with...crab.

35. Our wine expert discusses mispronunciations and this season’s must-try Spanish wines.

36. This week, Vancouver’s Cantonese food was called the best in North America by Eater's Restaurant Editor.

37. More awesome restaurant news: The Rumpus Room returns to Main Street in the former Foundation space.

38. If you're headed to (or live/work in) New Westminster, here are 5 newer restaurants to check out.

39. Simply meow-velous: Cougar kitten rescued by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

 Screenshot/Google MapsScreenshot/Google Maps

40. Vancouver now has one of North America’s biggest free WiFi networks.

41. A lemons out of lemonade story about motorcycles.

42. A B.C. cannabis producer has signed a supply deal with Shoppers Drug Mart.

43-44. Ready for the weekend? Here are the 10 best events to see this weekend, featuring Club PuSh. Plus, there's a luxury wedding show coming to Vancouver this Sunday.