Author Archives: Scott Onyschak-Seal

The PNE will begin hosting an annual winter fair this December

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Don’t you love the feeling of walking on a beautiful summer day having a sweet treat at the PNE? What about sipping a hot chocolate on winter day? Wouldn’t it be great if we could mix winter and the PNE?

The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is one of the best times of the year for people who love the fair, concerts, and spending time out with their loved ones. The worst part about it is it only lasts a couple of weeks in the summer. Well, that’s no longer the case.

It has been announced there will be a PNE Winter Fair this holiday season. It will go on “nightly from Dec. 14 to 23, the PNE Winter Fair draws from the best of what’s on offer during the summer Fair and translates that into a festive, seasonal, holiday version, complete with twinkling lights, activities, and an “all-star” concert line-up of live musical acts.”

I am beyond excited for this event. I love playland and the holidays so combining the two of them has always seemed like a no-brainer to me. The best part is they will be doing it every year.

We have been missing out on winter events due to the pandemic but “after two years of COVID drive-through winter events, it was important for us to define our permanent place in the holiday event landscape,” said PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost in a media release. “This event will be a significant annual addition to the PNE’s year-long programming and will mean that hundreds of new jobs will be created and millions of dollars in positive economic impact will be generated into the regional economy.”

Not only will it be a fun event for us to enjoy, but it will also be great for the local economy. Make sure to check it out.

Pumpkins After Dark is the ultimate Halloween experience

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October has always been my favourite month of the year. It used to be because my birthday is this month, which also happens to be Halloween but now it’s mostly because of all the great things to do.

We are finally past the long, hot day days of summer and can enjoy time outside without sweating profusely or getting burnt. One of my favourite events in October is Pumpkins After Dark.

An event held at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby and Central Park in Vancouver, Pumpkins After Dark is the perfect family event to kick off the spookiest month of the year.

There will be over 6000 pumpkins “that are hand-carved to resemble classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and dragons, movie and pop culture icons, and more.” They also have live gourd carving displays and plenty of fall snacks. It’s the perfect event for Halloween lovers and enjoyable for the entire family.

Halloween events are some of my favourite things to do. If you’re like me, they bring you back to being a kid spending time with your family and friends. Pumpkins After Dark does all that and more. It feels like you are living in a movie. The atmosphere is incredible. You have kids laughing, eating candy, amazing pumpkin sculptures and delicious treats.

It takes you back to fun times carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating. It reminds you of walking your neighbourhood and marvelling at the jack o’ lanterns. So if you want to feel like a kid again and love Halloween come check out Pumpkins After Dark during October. It’s on all month, tickets can be purchased online.

Breaking down the final Jays series of the regular season

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The Blue Jays are in Baltimore for their final series of the year. They come into this three-game set red-hot after sweeping the Boston Red Sox and out scoring them 25-3.

The Jays are guaranteed to finish either first or second in the wild card standings and they control their own fate. Winning at least two games will lock in first place no matter what the Seattle Mariners do. The Jays lead the Mariners by 2.5 games.

Baltimore has been eliminated form post season contention and will finish in seventh place in the American League, just outside the playoffs. Despite being out they will still want to play spoiler and finish the season strong.

The season series is tied 8-8.

Expected pitching matchups

Dean Kremer vs. Jose Berrios

Kremer has been the most consistent pitcher in the Orioles rotation this year. Out of Orioles players with 20 or more starts he ranks first in ERA (3.17), FIP (3.77) and WAR (1.7) according to FanGraphs. At 26 years old, he looks to be key piece of a developing Orioles team.

He has seen the Blue Jays a lot this season and it has not gone well. In six appearances he has allowed 20 runs in 28.1 innings for an ERA of 6.41.

It has been a disastrous season for Jose Berrios. He looked to be on track to pitch well in the playoffs after starting September hot but his last two starts have been awful. In 7.1 innings combined against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays he gave up 11 runs and took the loss each time.

This will be his fourth start against the Orioles this year and he has been successful in the previous three.  He is 2-0 with a 3.32 ERA, much better than his season average of 5.37. The Jays won all three games.

Mike Baumann vs. Mitch White

Baumann has split time between triple-A and the majors this season. In 60 innings in the minors he has a 2-6 record and 4.20 ERA with a strikeout rate of 12.2 per nine innings. He hasn’t been able to get the swing and miss at the big-league level. His ERA is similar at 4.34 but his strikeout rate drops to just 5.9.

This will be his third appearance (second start) against the Jays. He is 0-1 with three earned runs in seven innings versus Toronto this year.

White was brought in to solidify the Jays rotation at the deadline. His time in Toronto started well but he has struggled in his last six outings. He hasn’t allowed less than three earned runs in any of his last six and three of them he’s given up five or more. His ERA as a Jay is now 7.38 in nine games.

His only start against the Orioles was a rough one. He was pulled after 2.1 innings and five earned runs.

CIBC Run for the Cure returned on Sunday

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The pandemic put a lot of things on pause over the last two years but yesterday we saw the return of a great event. The annual CIBC Run for the Cure took place on Sunday. The event was held at Concord Park in downtown Vancouver. Thousands of participants came out to support the cause by running and walking.

The Run for the Cure is an event hosted to raise money for breast cancer research. The organizers have raised over 13 million dollars with their runs. Proceeds “go towards helping thousands of people get breast cancer treatments, providing wigs, headwear and breast prostheses, as well as community support and research.”

We have all been impacted by cancer. Whether it’s losing a loved one, a co-worker or being sick ourselves, cancer touches everybody’s lives. It sucks that the pandemic put a halt to great events like this.

A lot of attention has been directed to things like sporting events and concerts being cancelled by COVID but it’s events like this that deserve the spotlight. A someone who has lost several people in their family to cancer I’m glad the Run for the Cure is back on and had such a great turnout.

The run is over but you can still visit their website at https://cancer.ca/en/get-involved/our-events/cibc-run-for-the-cure and make a donation or check out other upcoming events all across Canada. I strongly recommend you attend the event next year. Community involvement and support can be extremely helpful for somebody grieving.

The participants at the event are welcoming and create an environment that helps heal. You don’t have to run you can just come out and support or walk. So if you get a chance come out next year and show your support.

Seahawks are playing surprisingly exciting football, improve to 2-2

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Nobody expected the Seattle Seahawks to contend for a Super Bowl this year, but they are a surprisingly entertaining team. When they traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos last summer most people thought this team would be one of the worst in the NFL.

We’re now one month into the season and the Seahawks are 2-2.  This includes a win against Wilson and a thrilling 48-45 victory over the Detroit Lions yesterday. Quarterback Geno Smith has played shockingly well and is statistically better than Russel Wilson by a large margin. Smith has seven total touchdowns (six pass, one rush) and is completing over 77% of his passes. Meanwhile Wilson is struggling in Denver. He has just five touchdowns (four pass, one rush) in four games and is only completing 61% of his passes.

On paper the Seahawks are not a good team but that doesn’t matter. They are putting an entertaining product on the field and are one of those teams that you never know what to expect when they take the field. This team was written off before the season began and they are already proving their doubters wrong.

They are still a massive longshot to make the playoffs, but hey, so are the Broncos and they are paying Russell Wilson 50 million per year. Everyone thought Wilson would be the piece to take Denver deep in the playoffs, but they look just as bad as they’ve ever been and he’s the main reason for it.

As each week passes the Seahawks look better for making that trade. They received a ton of draft picks, a few solid NFL players, and a ton of salary cap space from moving on from Wilson. They aren’t good yet but with these extra picks they could be right back in Super Bowl Contention in a few years. It was sad to see Wilson go, it’s even more sad for Broncos fans that have to watch him play.

My experience training at F45

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If you’re looking to get in shape but don’t know where to start, consider checking out F45. They offer a variety of classes that can be taken by people at any level of fitness. They make it their goal to create a supportive atmosphere and their trainers are always positive.

I recently tried out a class at their Lougheed location and I was blown away by the quality of training I received and the knowledge of their staff. Not only was it a great workout, but it was also one of the best fitness communities I have been around.

The class I attended was a hybrid class of cardio and resistance training. It involved different weightlifting and cardio exercises that are sure to give anybody a great workout. They also have a cardio only class and a resistance training only class.

The workout was great, but it was the staff that made the experience so enjoyable. Their positivity and motivation made the workout fly by. Whenever I had questions, they always knew the answers and would demonstrate exercises for me.

Their facilities were also top notch. All the equipment seemed to be brand new and worked perfectly. I was also shocked by the cleanliness. Some gyms I have been to are run down and look like they haven’t been fully cleaned in months but not F45.

Other people in the class seemed to know each other and were quick to welcome me into their community. It was truly one of the most enjoyable workout experiences I have ever been a part of.

So if you want to get yourself in shape and be part of a motivating fitness community, check out F45. It is a gym with a great attitude and a completely non-judgemental space that anybody will feel accepted.

https://twitter.com/F45Training/status/1136396860048850944

A look back at the Blue Jays 2022 season

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There have been plenty of ups and downs during the Toronto Blue Jays season, but they are on fire lately and look ready to go on a deep playoff run. They swept the Boston red Sox in a three-game series over the weekend by a score of 25-3 and now hold a comfortable lead in the first wild card position. With just three games left in the regular season, it is a good time to look back at the year and why they have been successful.

They started off the campaign with what looked to be one of the best rotations in baseball. However, things did not go as planned. Hyun-jin Ryu made only six starts and then missed the rest of the year with injury. Jose Berrios, their opening day starter has been a complete disaster and is statistically one of the worst starters in baseball. Free agent acquisition Yusei Kikuchi was terrible as well.

So how did a team who had three of their five starting pitchers come nowhere near their expected performance win over 90 games?

24-year-old righty Alek Manoah was sensational. He’s top five in several major pitching statistics in the American League. He set a record for lowest ERA in September with 0.88. Kevin Gausman leads the entire MLB in FIP and earned every cent of his 22-million-dollar contract. Ross Stripling emerged from the bullpen and took Ryu’s spot in the rotation. He went from a utility man to one of the most reliable pitchers in the league.

These three all-star quality starters are one of the best pitching trios in the history of the Blue Jays. When you have starters like this and pair them with a closer like Jordan Romano, you’re going to win a ton of games.

Oh yeah, they also have a top two offence in the AL. Five guys hit over twenty home runs, Bo Bichette set a Jays record for hits in September with 48, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit over 30 home runs and the catching duo of Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen were the most productive hitters from the catcher position in the MLB.

Go check out the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Center

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If you love hockey and want to see a fast-paced game with a great atmosphere at an affordable price, the Langley Events Center is the place to be. We all love the Canucks but not everybody can make the trip all the way downtown or afford the price of tickets. So go check out the Vancouver Giants.

Last night our local WHL team secured their first win of the season in a thrilling 4-1 drubbing of the Victoria Royals.

Watching the Giants at the Langley Events Center is one of the best bang for your buck events in the entire lower mainland. Junior hockey gives you a more immersive experience than the NHL by being in a smaller rink and allowing fans to be closer to the ice for an affordable price.

The WHL is full of talented players who will one day be stars of the NHL and the Giants have a few players that are well worth the price of admission.

There is nothing like the experience of watching junior hockey. The game is electrifying and raw in a way professional sports is not. These kids are hungry to prove themselves and play with passion and a love for the sport.

You can see the dedication and dreams of making it to the NHL in the way they compete. The NHL has a more polished product but from a pure entertainment standpoint, the WHL is right there with them.

If you have chance, make your way out to the LEC and support the Giants. I guarantee you will have a fantastic time whether the team wins or loses. The atmosphere in the building is electric and these kids need our support.

Adams Jr. leads the way as Lions dominate the Redblacks 34-19

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Hockey season is just around the corner, but the Canucks aren’t the local sports team you should be watching right now. Last night the BC lions dominated the Ottawa Redblacks 34-19 to improve to 10-4. For the first time since 2016 the Lions have a winning season and look to be serious contenders for the Grey Cup.

It has been a wild season for the Lions. It started by Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke carrying the team to an 8-1 record. It’s rare for a Canadian to play the quarterback position in the CFL, its even more rare for one to succeed.

Rourke was on pace to break several records for a Canadian QB and an early favourite for the Most Outstanding Player award and then his season ended abruptly with a foot injury. His Lisfranc sprain required season and put the Lion’s season in jeopardy.

Lions’ management had to think quickly, or their championship aspirations could end. They traded their 2023 first round pick to the Montreal Alouettes for veteran quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. The transition from Rourke to Adams wasn’t seamless but he has settled in and looks to be ready to lead this team on a deep playoff run.

Last night was his coming out party as a member of the Lions. He completed 17 of his 22 passes for 305 yards and his first two touchdowns as a Lion. He proved to Lions fans that he can carry this team and resembled the player he was in 2019 when he earned a spot on the CFL all star team.

Its not often a team can lose a MOP candidate and still compete for a championship but Adams Jr. has shown he has what it takes to lead this squad.

There are four games left in the CFL regular season and only one home game for the Lions. So if you’re looking for a great sporting atmosphere go check out Vernon Adams Jr. and the Lions at BC Place on October 15th.

BCHL submits report to Hockey Canada asking for change

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The British Columbia Hockey League has submitted 35-page report to Hockey Canada asking them to make changes to the structure of junior hockey in Canada. The report was titled “Modernizing Junior Hockey in Canada — Supporting Two Junior Development Paths for Canadian Athletes”.

One of their main complaints is that 16- and 17-year-old players are not allowed to leave their home province to play Jr. A. This restricts Jr. A hockey from being a true competitor of Major Junior leagues. The BCHL is the leading Jr. A league in Canada for getting players scholarships to play hockey but this restriction it is diluting the talent.

The BCHL has an issue with Hockey Canada’s development model that was put in place in 2006. The model states that the BCHL’s main purpose is to develop players before they advance to Major Junior.

The problem with that is college hockey is a more common route for players now. BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb had this to say, “What we’d like is a review of the Canadian Development Model. Does it still hold water today? It was written at a time before college hockey wasn’t as prevalent as it now. Major junior is a great system. We’re just saying that it’s not the only system.”

The BCHL has been asking for changes from Hockey Canada for over a year now, but nothing has been done. This is just another example of how Hockey Canada is failing both its players, and everyone involved.

While this is nowhere near as terrible as the issues they have with sexual assault and leaders covering it up, it is still a problem that needs to be addressed. For a country that prides itself as a hockey nation, the inability of Hockey Canada to manage scandal and create a fair system is a complete embarrassment.