Pinballs and Rooms for Rent in Mount Pleasant

By Guacira Naves

I love my neighbourhood - the Mount Pleasant area in Vancouver, on the "other side" of the Cambie and Granville bridges.

It has a character of its own. Shiny, new buildings with endless glass panes have not (as of yet) invaded this area. In fact, my building is probably one of the tallest in the area, and it's only 8 storeys-high. It's an area full of history. According to this page in the City of Vancouver Web site, the area received its name in 1888. Its most important artery is Main Street.

My neighbourhood is strewn with visual jewels everywhere I look. During a recent walk, I captured some images that easily explain Mount Pleasant's charm.

If photographic eye candy is not enough to attract you to my neck of the woods, there are some excellent restaurants on Main Street. Below are my favourites:

- Latitude: when at Latitude, try their lamb shank. I know someone who is used to ordering two portions at once. That's how succulent their rendition of this classic is. Located on 3250 Main Street, between East 16th and East 17th.

Window Detail at Vancouver Architectural Antiques

- The Well: located on 3048 Main Street, this is a spot where I've had several meals - all of them absolutely amazing. Chef Saboor Assadi pours his heart and soul into each dish that he prepares, and it shows. This is a good pick for breakfast, brunch or dinner. On my birthday, he prepared a special platter (with game, beef, vegetables and Israeli couscous), and it was a culinary experience which I will not forget anytime soon.

Special Platter at The Well

Goh Ballet Academy

Continue exploring this side of Vancouver after your meal. For those looking for well-designed, unique and sustainable clothing (that looks stylish without making you look like you're wearing a burlap sack), I highly recommend Body Politic, on East 12th, almost at the corner of Main (208 East 12 Ave, South East corner of 12th & Main). Owner Nicole Ritchie-Oseen is a sweetheart, and will take pleasure in finding a garment that suits your style and body type.

Window at A Baker's Dozen

Afterwards, I recommend walking up to Main and 19th to admire the (sometimes odd) antique findings at A Baker's Dozen (3520 Main Street). Rare have been the occasions when I was able to resist taking photos of their window. More photographic jewels to be had.

Since your stomach might be full, and you might be in need of burning those calories, head to Main and 22nd, where Front & Company is located. If you're looking for an awesome consignment store, this is it. I recently landed a leather jacket at that store for a third of its regular retail price.

Walking now in the opposite direction (North, facing the mountains), cross Broadway and walk one block. On your left-hand side, you'll find one of the most beautiful antique stores that I've ever visited: Vancouver Architectural Antiques (2403 Main Street). Even if you are not planning on making any purchases, it is easy to lose yourself in the beauty of the items.

How to get here: if coming from the downtown core, you have a couple of options:

- Take the new Canada Line SkyTrain heading South (towards Richmond and the Airport), and get off at Broadway-City Hall. Take the 99 B-Line bus, which stops right at the exit of that SkyTrain station. This is an express bus, so you will be getting of at the first stop, which will have you right at the corner of Main and Broadway. From there, just start walking South (on the opposite direction from our snow-capped mountains).

- Take the Expo Line (the older SkyTrain line) from downtown, heading East. Exit at the Main Street - Science World station. When getting off the train, you want to take the stairs that lead you to the side of the street opposite from the Pacific Central Station (which, incidentally, also offers plenty of interesting visuals). Wait for the #3 bus, and get off at the intersection between Main and Broadway.

Welcome to my Mount Pleasant. You'll be tempted to make it yours, too.

Guacira Naves is the founder of The Online Strategy House. She's an online marketing pioneer with 19 years of professional history with the Internet and 13 years of experience as an online marketing strategist.  She serves on the board of the Social Media Club Vancouver. Follow her on Twitter (@OnlineStrategy) or find her at OnlineStrategy.ca

By Guacira Naves

On Thursday, an anxious crowd gathered at Caprice Nightclub, here in downtown Vancouver. Most of the people in attendance had two things in common: their devotion to the Canadian hockey team in the Olympics, and their enthusiasm about Twitter as a social network, for both business and social purposes. Shane Gibson has written a great post about that evening.

You see, here in Canada, winning in hockey is a question of national pride. I remember attending a World Cup of Hockey final in Montreal (my old hometown), and one sign summed it all-so-well: "we breed them, they buy them". No need to explain whom that sign was referring to! We Canadians may have a reputation of being polite and understated, but get us talking about hockey, and you're hitting the national ego. Tread lightly!

After the game itself, Twitter celebrity Guy Kawasaki arrived at the venue to meet some Vancouver tweeps in person. If you are active on Twitter, your number of followers expresses the number of other individuals who find your microblogging updates interesting enough to, well, follow what you have to say. At the time of this writing, Guy Kawasaki had an astounding 215,990 followers. Trust me when I say that this is a lot.

Guy Kawasaki, Mitch Baldwin and yours truly. Photo credit: Kemp Edmonds

If you missed the opportunity to meet some of Vancouver's finest social media participants on Thursday, fret not. Another gathering, smaller and more intimate, is taking place on February 25th. View the details and RSVP here.

Come and join us while you're in the 604 area code. Guy Kawasaki won't be there, but we promise to make you feel at home.

Guacira Naves is the founder of The Online Strategy House. She's an online marketing pioneer with 19 years of professional history with the Internet and 13 years of experience as an online marketing strategist.  She serves on the board of the Social Media Club Vancouver. Follow her on Twitter (@OnlineStrategy) or find her at OnlineStrategy.ca

The Olympic Torch in my backyard

By Guacira Naves

I witnessed a historic occasion today, which I'll likely never see again: the Olympic torch itself, being escorted and carried practically in my backyard.

There was something emotional about seeing a flame that has not faded since its birth in Olympia, Greece, on October 22, 2009. The same flame that, tomorrow, will be watched by eager eyes across the world, as it reaches the cauldron.

I couldn't help reminiscing about the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, which I watched as a kid in Brazil. I recall crying when crowds on the stands formed an image of Misha (the 1980 Games mascot) shedding a tear during the closing ceremonies, as though it was wishing farewell. It represented the end of the Games.

Now, 30 years later, I got to see the Olympic flame, in person.

This experience also brought home a sense of the blood, sweat and tears invested by athletes for whom the Olympic Games are a lifetime goal. I have an Olympic hopeful in my extended circle, and have been privy to the sacrifices that he makes to even stand a chance to qualify for the competition. The strict diet, the gruelling exercise routine, the training, the toll that it takes in his social life. All for a mere chance.

I can only imagine how Olympians will feel during the opening ceremonies tomorrow. As for me, the flame has already accomplished something unexpected - it moved this slightly jaded heart.

Guacira Naves is the founder of The Online Strategy House. She's an online marketing pioneer with 19 years of professional history with the Internet and 13 years of experience as an online marketing strategist.  She serves on the board of the Social Media Club Vancouver. Follow her on Twitter (@OnlineStrategy) or find her at OnlineStrategy.ca