Local Knowledge
Knowing where to get the real skinny of what's happening in a city can make all the difference. Here's the low-down on where the locals look to find out what's happening in Vancouver.
Marriage in Vancouver
The magnificent beauty that surrounds Vancouver is the perfect setting for a picturesque storybook wedding. It is no wonder so many couples choose this gorgeous seaside city as their wedding destination.
Regulations don't require either party to be a resident of BC. You need only be over 19 and single to become married in this beautiful province. The process is quite simple. One of the parties to be married must apply for the marriage license which allows a couple to be married within 3 months. No blood tests are required. A religious or civil ceremony must then be performed by an individual recognized by the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency.
Recent rulings have extended marriage eligibility to same sex couples in BC. The regulations remain the same. For more detailed information on marriages in BC, go to http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/marriage/howto.html
The Arts Hotline
When in Vancouver, call 684-ARTS (604-684-2787) for the latest information on performing and visual arts events in and around Vancouver. Live assistance is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST; after hours you'll get an easy-to-use voicemail message. The Arts Hotline is a service of the Alliance for Arts & Culture, 938 Howe St. (at Smithe), home of the Arts Info Centre.
The Georgia Straight
The Georgia Straight is Vancouver's news-and-entertainment weekly offering an up-to-date calendar of events to the most happening scenes in the city. Whether it's live theatre, concerts, dance, films, restaurants or children's activities, the Straight is Vancouver's best bet for planning a night out. The Straight also publishes thoughtful features and profiles covering the city's political and cultural life and some of the best coupons for restaurants and shows in the city. The Straight is published on Thursdays and is available free at grocery stores, clothing outlets, theatres, and many other street-box locations around the city
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is the major newspaper for the city and published every morning except Sunday. On Thursdays, a pullout section called Queue outlines the Vancouver entertainment scene, and Friday's paper contains the weekly TV Guide.
Doctors and Dentists
Medicentre (1055 Dunsmuir St., lower level, 604-683-8138), a drop-in clinic in the Bentall Centre, is open weekdays.
The dental counterpart to Medicentre is Dentacentre (1055 Dunsmuir St., lower level, 604-669-6700), which is next door and is also open weekdays.
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver Internation Airport is located in the city of Richmond, flight information: departure and arrival info are available from thier website yvr.com.
Taxis charge a metered rate based on time and distance travelled, the approximate fare to downtown Vancouver is $23-$26 (inclusive of all taxes) under normal conditions.
Car rental facilities are conveniently located just steps from the terminal on the ground floor of the parkade. Companies operating their vehicle pickup and return services directly at the airport location includes:
Hertz Canada
Avis Rent-a-Car
Vancouver International Airport, in partnership with participating cruise ship companies and airlines, offers on-board check-in for eligible cruise ship passengers.