A couple of old things return after a lengthy absence Nov 23, 2009

Reopening of the Robson square Ice Skating Rink.

Since 2000 the old ice skating rink beneath Robson Square has been idle but now thanks to the Olympics and GE - one of the corporate sponsors of the Games - it has been fixed up, expanded and re-opened to the public today - it is free to use and skate rentals are only $3.00.

There were a few people using it today but I expect it to get much busier as the winter season approaches - there is also a stage for entertainment - one of the events that will use this new Plaza is the Santa Claus Parade where Santa will make his appearance available to all those who want to give him a list of things to be put under the tree.

I am impressed with the job they have done in rehabbing this Vancouver attraction.

Hope you enjoy the photo essay of my time there.

Now I just have to decide whether to buy skates or just rent them.

I got my first pair when I was about 8 years old and Dad took me and my brother to Kerrisdale Arena for our first skate.

For a good number of years I was a regular at the Tuesday night teen and then adult skates and even dabbled in a little bit of pick up hockey.

Reinstalling of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame plaques along the 800 and 900 block of Granville St.

For the past two or three years one of the main items along Granville Street - aka- Theater Row - aka Entertainment District - has been missing because of the Canada Line construction and the reconstruction of the entire length of Granville Street.

For years the 800 and 900 Block of Granville have been the focal point of our downtown entertainment district in various forms - from neon signs and Theaters to the current mix of restaurants, funky shopping stores, bars and lounges - the area is the home of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and similar to the walk of stars in Hollywood those inducted here have had their named bronzed and put into the sidewalk.

They were all removed during construction and are slowly being re-installed as the project finally nears completions.

The ones shown here are for the most part some of the better known ones in the entertainment industry here in BC.

Cheers

D