by 2010vanfan

I didn’t even know that RBC and Coca-Cola had released the lists of their Torchbearer contest winners, but they have!!  I am sad to report that I will not be a Torchbearer.  Will you be helping to carry the Olympic Torch??  Check out the links to RBC and Coca-Cola to see if you or a friend will be carrying the Torch (though I suspect they’ve already contacted you if you are a winner!).  And congratulations if you will be!!  What a wonderful experience it will be!!

The Olympic Torch - held by the first Torchbearer selected, Patricia Moreno.

I am very proud to say that I work with Robyn at the Bay, who has been selected as a Torchbearer!!  Woohoo Robyn!  I’m looking forward to seeing her with the torch with her red Torchbearer mittens!

The official Torchbearer mittens and toque!

Other news – I heard from Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation about Alberta House!  Alberta House will be hosted at the new Atlantic Trap & Gill beside BC Place.  It is primarily a business centre, but it will also host Alberta Plaza.  During the day the Alberta Plaza will be a place to learn about all Alberta has to offer, during the evenings it will be a place to relax with live entertainment (the entertainment is still to be announced).  Really exciting though, is the Alberta Train!  Alberta is teaming up with Rocky Mountaineer Railtours to run trains from Vancouver to Whistler during the Olympics.  They will be using Gold Leaf Cars to transport Alberta’s business and public leaders as well making it available to Olympic Partners, other Alberta organizations as well as some organizations from other countries.  It sounds like it will be the best way to travel to Whistler!!  Sounds to me like Alberta’s House, Plaza, and Train are going to be pretty special.  I hope I can get out to see the Plaza (and maybe the Train???).

The inside of a Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf car.

And lastly – Several of Canada’s Olympic athletes, including Beckie Scott, Hayley Wickenheiser, Mellissa Hollingsworth along with other Canadian Olympians have been involved in a new calendar to help raise money for the charity Right to Play.  Right to Play’s goal is to create a healthier and safer world for children through the power of sport and play.  For $20 you can purchase a 16-month that has photos, biographies and inspirational quotes in it.  The calendar was developed by a group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to bring sport and play programs to children affected by war, disease, and poverty throughout Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East.  This is a great program and I highly recommend getting yourself a calendar, or maybe get some as Christmas (birthday, Monday) presents for your friends and family.  If you’d like to get one (or many) check out Right to Play Canada.

Right to Play Calendar

Don’t forget – if you have questions about the Olympics, Paralympics or ideas on topics, please feel free to let me know by commenting, tweeting (@2010vanfan), or emailing (2010vanfan@gmail.com).

Thank you and merci!