Why study at the library when you can study at ULC for FREE?

At the request of ULC students in Vancouver, the school is now open on Saturday from 10am to 1pm. The best part is that it's FREE!

During this three hour session, students can study ESL on their own like they would at the library. However a ULC teacher will also be at the school to answer any questions students have or to mark homework.

This session is open to all ULC students and their friends. Students should bring their own work and be prepared to ask the teacher questions or hand in homework.

Come to school between 10am and 1pm every Saturday. Please buzz #710 to get into the building.

See you soon!

New Helpful Website List

ESL students in Vancouver always have more questions than I can answer and a lot of the questions have nothing to do with learning English.

"Where is the best place to eat? How can I get to the community centre? Where can I volunteer?"

With those questions in mind, I have started a list to the right of the page. The list includes all the websites students need to find the answers, from a beer guide to the weekend weather.

Recommend a friend for a Free Lesson

Are you happy with ULC?
Would you recommend ULC to your friend?
Do you want a free English lesson?

If you answered yes those three questions, let's get started!

For the month of August ULC is offering FREE CLASSES to ULC students. All you have to do is:

1. Recommend a friend to come to ULC.
2. Tell your friend to give your name at the reception office.
3. After your friend takes one trial lesson in any program, you get a FREE CLASS!
4. You can recommend as many friends for as many classes.

This offer is only for students of Urban Learning Canada. Free classes include all programs at ULC excluding one-on-one tutor.

Two festivals for the long weekend

The August long weekend is approaching. Summer is already half-over! I'm sure most ULC students in Vancouver are wondering how to enjoy this three-day holiday. Well, I know this blog has turned into more of an events calendar, but don't miss out on the Gay Pride Parade and the Powell Street Festival.

1. Pride Parade

Sunday August 1, 2010
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Robson St, to Denman St, to Beach Ave.
Tickets:Free!

The 2010 Pride Parade travels from Robson and Thurlow to Denman Street following along to Pacific and Beach Avenues ending at Sunset Beach Festival Site. There are 150 parade entries including colourful floats, musical marching bands, community groups and 600,000 spectators. Pride takes over the streets and rainbows fill the city at this is MUST SEE event!

More info: www.vancouverpride.ca

2. 34th Annual Powell Street Festival

Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st, 2010
11:30 am to 7 pm
Oppenheimer Park (400 block Powell Street)
Tickets: FREE!

The Powell Street Festival is heading home! After last year’ one-year relocation to Woodland Park, the Powell Street Festival will return to its traditional home in the newly-renovated Oppenheimer Park. Taking inspiration from the Japanese notion of Koen debut, or Park debut, whereupon neighbourhood toddlers are introduced to their local community, the 34th Annual Powell Street Festival celebrates the idea of neighbourhood, youth, children, the park and its landscape. The festival includes music, performances, art, food, and more!!

More info: www.powellstreetfestival.com

ULC Top Restaurants-Pubs Out of Downtown

For those students who spend all their time wandering up and down Granville and Robson, it's time to get out of downtown and experience Vancouver. Here is a short list of great places to check out to really feel the diversity of this great city. The places are not in any order.

Anton's
Italian Food
This restaurant one of the most famous places for a plate of pasta. The prices are reasonable and if you eat your whole meal, IT'S FREE! Amazing! The only problem it's a little far from downtown, but it's worth the commute. Arrive early as there is a line up.

4260 Hastings St., Burnaby (east of Willingdon)
604-299-6636
www.antonspastabar.com

Jolly's Indian Bistro
Indian Food
This is the best Indian food in Vancouver. The restaurant has a homey, friendly atmosphere. The dishes are a reasonable size and the prices are descent for what you get. It's only open for dinner. Go early to avoid a line up.

2778 W. 4th (west of 4th and Macdonald)
604-730-6929
www.jollysindianbistro.com

Kings Head Pub
Beer and Pub food
The Kings Head is a place for cheap beer, nachos, and free live music. The Kings Head may seem a little on the dirty side, but it's the best place for a round of drinks and listening acoustic guitar cover songs. Music usually starts at 10pm and it can get crowded. This place also offers brunch on weekends.

1618 Yew Street( Near Starbucks at Kits Beach)
604-738-6966
http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/kings-head-the-yew

The Cascade Room
Restaurant/Bar
This is a great Main Street place to hang out with friends for a burger, thin-crust pizza, and cocktails or beer. It has big booths and long tables, so bring your friends!

2616 Main (near Main and 10th Avenue)
604-709-8650
www.thecascade.ca

Thai Son
Vietnamese Food
Thai Son is an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. The atmosphere is not that great, but the food is cheap and delicious.

373 E. Broadway (east of Main Street across from Kingsgate Mall)
604 875-6436
http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/thai-son-vietnamese-broadway

Festivals Round 2

We are now into the hot summer months in Vancouver. Besides joining in on the Urban Learning Canada BBQ parties and other great events, how can you enjoy the summer like a true Vancouverite? Here are three great events for July.

1. Vancouver Folk Music Festival
July 16 - 18, 2010
A celebration of traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from around the world and across the street. 3 evenings and 2 full days of entertainment on 8 outdoor stages, with food, crafts and a special area for the Little Folks. All of this takes place in the spectacular outdoor setting of Jericho Beach Park, amidst groves of pine & cedar trees & against a backdrop of the beautiful coast mountains rising above a modern city skyline.
Visit www.thefestival.bc.ca for more information

2. The Celebration of Light
2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the Celebration of Light (originally known as the Symphony of Fire), an international fireworks competition which has attracted the world’s leading fireworks designers and is considered one of North America’s top pyrotechnic competitions.
Dates:
•Wednesday July 21st 2010 – The Keg presents USA Night
•Saturday July 24th, 2010 – London Drugs presents Spain Night
•Wednesday July 28th, 2010 – HSBC presents Mexico Night
•Saturday July 31st, 2010 – Concord Pacific presents A Tribute to China
Time:
10:00PM – Rain or Shine
For more information: www.celebration-of-light.com

3. Free outdoor movies at Stanley Park
July 7, 14, 22, 29 at dusk
A free movie series under the canopy of the stars. For the second year running, the West End BIA will be hosting the outdoor “Dinner & a Movie” series at Ceperley Meadow (near Second Beach in Stanley Park) throughout July 2010. The free movies will start at dusk, but it is recommended to be there as early as possible to ensure a good spot in front of the giant inflatable screen. This community event gives people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy their movie favourites in a natural setting under the twinkling canopy of the stars.
Visit www.westendbia.com.

Where to watch the World Cup in Vancouver

The world is watching! Even in Vancouver we have been watching our favourite teams in the early morning hours. But when it comes time for the final few matches, where will the best party be? Here are a few suggestions on where to watch and world cup finals.

Commercial Drive
"The Drive" is what makes it perfect for viewing the World Cup as nations compete for what many say is the greatest trophy in sport. If you want to watch the 2010 World Cup South Africa in Vancouver, then Commercial Drive is the best place to be in the Lower Mainland.

Top 5 Places to Watch the World Cup on Commercial Drive:

1. Caffé Roma Sports Bar (1510 Commercial Drive)
2. Caffé Napoli (1670 Commercial Dr)
3. Caffé Amici (1344 Commercial Dr)
4. Portugese Club of Vancouver (1144 Commercial Drive)
5. Rio Theatre

Here’s a list of other hot spots to watch all the World Cup action:

Forum Sports Bar, 1163 Granville St. will televise every match and feature jersey giveaways. Drink specials after 9 a.m.

Malone’s Bar & Grill, 608 West Pender St. boasts 10 42-inch screens, and giveaways of gear and jerseys.

Red Card Sports Bar and Eatery, 900 Seymour St. features cocktails with eight national themes, a signature pizza and special breakfast items, starting at 11 a.m.

The Vancouver Alpen Club, 4875 Victoria Drive a favorite hangout of German and Swiss fans. Deutsches Haus has fare from the German-speaking world and plenty of beer.

Falconetti’s East Side Grill, 1812 Commercial Drive, headquarters of the World Cup on the Drive. Good food, lively ambience.

Nando’s Flame-Grilled Chicken, 828 Davie St., From June 1 t July 11 all of Nando’s restaurants will feature five country-themed meals. You can enter to win catering for 50 for your own World Cup Party.

Soho Bar and Grill, 1184 Denman St. This is the ‘headquarters for english soccer”. The games will be televised at all Soho locations in Burnaby and Vancouver.

The Academic Public House, 1619 W. Broadway offers a full English breakfast plus a pint of suds. Come in and cheer for your team!

Joey Burrard, 820 Burrard St., large-screen TVS, weel-stocked bar, great food. All World Cup games will be televised here.

If going out is not an option on world cup day, the CBC will have extensive coverage including commentary from Vancouver’s own Bob Lenarduzzi. You will even be able to watch matches live online.