Places to Go Near Semiahmoo

Lois Franco provided us with this list and descriptions of places to go near Semiahmoo just in time for the holidays when many of you may have guests visiting and are looking for ideas for how to entertain them. Even if you don't have guests, you still might want to visit some of these interesting places.

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver is a fascinating place for folks who are interested in the Northwest Coast First Nations (or, First Peoples) art and culture. It's a beautiful museum, architecturally, and since it's a teaching museum, information about each piece can be accessed through their reference catalogs. They have a truly impressive collection of totem poles and other carvings, ceremony boxes, textiles, jewelry and many other items. All but the most fragile of their collections (which is truly amazing) are accessible to visitors, either the regular museum, or in the "stacks." The stacks are organized so that items are displayed either on shelves, or in drawers that can be pulled out to view contents. And, although the museum's primary focus is on the NW cultures, the collections include both archaeological material and ethnographic objects from around the world. It's a truly impressive collection and has been greatly appreciated and enjoyed by the several folks we've taken there. Sooo, we'd highly recommend a drive north. (With no back up at the border, it takes us about an hour to get there.) There's meter parking in front of the museum. It's a good place to take folks when it's raining. . . . Can be checked out online at www.moa.ubc.ca .

Another "hit" with visitors has been Bellingham's own American Museum of Radio and Electricity, at 1312 Bay Street, in B'ham. This would be a great place for children, as well as adults, and there are several exhibits expressly for children. The museum "is dedicated to the preservation of important artifacts and the stories behind them because of their immense cultural, historic, aesthetic, and scientific importance. . . Included in the collection are many rare artifacts and books. Early works by some of the greatest scientific minds of our modern era, magazines, hard-to-find schematics, and recordings support and supplement the objects on display." the Museum also sponsors special events, such as the Halloween reenactment of the radio show, "The War of the Worlds." We saw that last year and loved it! On Tuesday, December 27, there is a special workshop for kids and adults on STATIC ELECTRICITY. It's from 1 - 3 p.m., Registration fee $10, $5 for Museum members
Hands-on workshop fun. "We will teach how you can create electricity from everyday things. All materials are provided by the Museum, and you can take home your projects along with many more ideas. Participants should pre-register by calling the Museum." Check out the web site at www.americanradiomuseum.org for more information.

Another, perhaps more generally known place to visit, and a great place for curious minds, is Mindport Exhibits 210 West Holly Street, in Bellingham. Here's a bit of what they say about themselves:

". . . .Mindport visitors with an artistic orientation view the hands-on section of the museum as a collection of fascinating kinetic art pieces, and, of course, feel right at home in the familiar ground of the Fine Arts area. Those with a scientific or mechanical bent sometimes compare the museum to the Exploratorium in San Francisco, or OMSI in Portland. Yet others view Mindport simply as a calm haven in a chaotic world; a friendly place to relax and explore new ideas.
"Important themes at Mindport are exploration, observation, creativity, play, and, last, but not least, fun. The world view commonly referred to as “scientific” is represented here, but we consider it to be only one aspect of a more holistic way of experiencing reality, one which also includes art, and esthetics.

"At Mindport, as a serious aim, we bring attention to phenomena that conventionally might be considered “trivial,” or “silly.” We refuse to neglect the humorous and the personal, which are at the root of what it is to be human. Unconventional imagination, after all, underlies the inventiveness that has enriched our lives in countless ways.
"We hope the accessibility of Mindport’s exhibits will make it obvious that sophisticated machinery and electronic equipment are not necessary for human beings to lead fulfilling lives, and that creativity is an option for everyone, not just a select few. . . ."

It's great fun, and visitors love this place too! Watching kids here is a marvel! Check it out at the web site, www.mindport.org .

And finally, I'll include a place we were too late to visit, but that promises to be really fun and interesting: The Granville Island Model Trains/Model Ships Museum(s). Their brochure says "The Model Trains Museum is the largest international collection of model and toy trains on public display in the world. . . ." and that "The Model Ships Museum is comprised primarily of exquisitely detailed, large scale model warships and coastal B.C. working vessels. This collection features several well known military ships. . . turn of the century steamers and tugs. . .Modern day tug fleets are also represented along with an impressive international collection of submarines (including Captain Nemo's favorite). Sooo. . . .check these out at www.modelshipsmuseum.com, and www.modeltrainsmuseum.com , and take their "virtual reality" tour. (This would be great, in combination with the tour through the Granville Island Market!

Hope this will bring some good ideas and fun to share with visitors during this upcoming Holiday Season, and later.  Lois Franco

I'd like to add one more activity to the list. Last year George and I went to Butchart Gardens for their annual Festival of Lights show. We went early enough in the day so we could take a leisurely stroll around the park late in the afternoon (dusk in December). Then we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the restaurant. (Be sure to make reservations.) Afterwards we walked through the garden again. You will find a lighted display of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" hidden throughout the garden, waterfalls and rivers done with moving lights, and even "snow" lights. It is truly magical. We went on the 23rd of December and had no trouble getting reservations in the Best Western Motel in Sydney. We had reservations on the ferry, but they weren't needed. One advantage we have living so close is that we can chose the best night weather wise to go although we have friends who will go rain or shine. Get all the details at www.butchartgardens.com. To download a brochure about their Christmas show, click here. If you're taking children, read about their snowflake promotion.

Seattle Hotel Recommendation

Gail Todoroff reports that she just stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle and recommends it. Here's what she said about it, "Had a nice corner room with a sitting area and booked through Seattle Super Saver. Had dinner at the hotel's Mediterranean restaurant, Andaluca, and it was very good. The hotel is on Olive Way and easy walking distance to 5th Avenue Theater."

ICE your Cell Phone

Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE.

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and phone no. of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly.

It only takes a few moments of your time to do.   Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately.