Quayside Festival This Saturday!

This Saturday is Vancouver's largest outdoor sale! Vision Source New Westminster will have a table at this fun filled event and we will be providing valuable eye care information along with some great games and prizes! Below is more information about this year's Quayside Festival:

Vancouver's Largest Outdoor Sale!
This years event organizers for the 8th annual QCB BOARDWALK festival & sale is shaping up to be the best ever! Noted as Greater Vancouver’s largest outdoor sidewalk sale and heralded as the largest recycling event in the city, the QCB BOARDWALK festival & sale has become a ‘must-attended’ experience for the entire family.

If you are one of the estimated 10,000 treasure hunters, you will love browsing the nearly 200 tables filled to capacity with quality, unique finds.  To make your ‘discovering’ a more enjoyable experience, the QCB has brought together a series of ‘festival’ activities that are sure to entertain.

FESTIVAL: Live Music!

This year we offer 3 LIVE STAGES featuring the musical styling’s of LOS CASTORES (Mariachi) and WESTMINSTER AVENUE (Jazz), both founded by the New Westminster Secondary School music program and a sure hit with the younger set.  For the rockers in the crowd, LEGAL LIMIT is back for their 8th year.  For the more mature set, we are please to welcome back for their second year the twenty piece ROYAL WESTMINSTER REGIMENT BAND.  As we go to press, organizers are still in negotiations with musical groups wanting to be a part of this incredible festival, such as a bag pipe ensemble.  So please revisit this site for further event developments. We are pleased to announce that the piping trio fromThe OFFICERS OF THE HONOURABLE will be on hand plus a smart FUNK BAND will take the stages.

BAND SCHEDULE

10:30-11:00 Funk Band

11:15-12:00 Jazz Trio

12:15-1:00 Los Castores Mariachi
1:15-2:00 Jazz Trio

2:15-3:00 Rock Band Westminster Avenue
12:30pm - 2:00pm The Royal Westminster Regimental Band

FESTIVAL: Food!

What would a festival be without the quintessential ‘festival food’?  For the past 8 years the NEW WESTMINSTER LIONS CLUB has been serving up yummy hot dogs (don’t forget the fried onions on top) and soft drink at a great price – to raise important funds for their charity.  A testament to how good their dogs are – they sell out every year !

We also are excited to bring you three Food Truck that are sure to please the sensitive palettes of foodies everywhere.  TIN LIZZIE, has been a staple for the past 8 years and serves up the most addictive ‘mini donuts’ …as well as an abundance of other food and beverage items.  DOUGIE DOG will be serving up his famous creations that earned him two audiences with the Dragons Den, a feature on Eat Street and the position of #1 Food Truck by the Georgia Straight.  If dogs aren’t your thing, then bring on the heat with the edibles from CARIBBEAN REEF TRUCK.  Then walk a little ways further and cool off with MR. COOL ICE CREAM.

Of course, we encourage all to stop into RIVER MARKET to see what great food outlets they offer your appetite.  Looking for fresh fruit, be sure to stop by SUMMERFIELDS FARMS and buy the most flavourful blueberry’s.

FESTIVAL: KIDz zONE!

There are a lot of young people at the QCB BOARDWALK festival & sale!  In addition to their shrewd negotiations at the tables for nickel trinkets (yes parents, a dollar can go a long way at this event), they want to let off a little steam.  Returning by popular demand are the CLOWNS IN ACTION.  This duo of balloon artists form wonderful creations to the astonishment of young on-lookers. SAVVY SPACE SOLUTIONS are back again to provide Face Painting for those patient enough to sit still long enough for a butterfly or ladybug!  The Kidz Zone is sponsored by KNOWLEDGE FIRST FINANCIAL. 

FESTIVAL: Pet Centre!

PET CENTRE Wow, this event has officially gone to the dawgs.... Pet Zone sponsor UPTOWN DAWGS that is.  Bring your people-friendly dogs and let them luxuriate in the ‘Hound Lounge’, get a nail painted neon, sample some doggie treats, get a refreshing wash-down or just get a hydrating drink of water.

FESTIVAL: Attractions!

You are encouraged to experience all the additional ‘festival’ attractions this event offers.  SHIMMY FOR THE SOUL Belly Dancers were a mesmerizing hit for the crowds last year and are eager to show you their moves again this year.  We will also feature a WHITECAPS booth, SFU ATHLETICS area and a special appearance from the DOGWOOD INITIATIVE if you would like to express more serious considers regarding the proposed pipeline and US Coal.

ATTRACTION SCHEDULEShimmy for the Soul 11:30am & 12:30pm
Whitecaps' JAY McDERMIT from 11am - 1pm
Whitecaps' Mascot SPIKE 10am-12noon

FESTIVAL: Fundraising Raffle!

The QCB & BOSA BOARDWALK festival & sale is pleased to announce that over 55 sponsors have generously donated amazing items & services to make up our incredible RAFFLE BASKETS. This is an extremely popular part of the event. Look for the REMAX TENT at Reliance Court and Quayside Drive area to review the baskets and purcahse your tickets.

Banana Split Day!

Celebrate dessert and eye health all at the same time, because today is Banana Split Day! Bananas are a great source of potassium which maintain the eye's tear film. It's a thin coating on the eye that helps protect and nourish the eye. Give both your taste buds and your eyes a treat today!

Here is a delicious No Bake Banana Split Cake recipe!

yield: 12 to 16 servings

prep time: 30 minutes

total time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Crust:2 cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted.

For the Cream Cheese Layer:
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature¼ cup granulated sugar

8 ounces COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

For the Fruit & Toppings:
3 to 4 bananas, sliced1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well16 ounces strawberries, hulled, and sliced8 ounces COOL WHIP Whipped Topping½ cup walnuts, choppedChocolate syrup

Maraschino cherries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, stirring until all of the crumbs are evenly moistened. Dump the crumbs into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Refrigerate while you prepare the next layer.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the COOL WHIP until thoroughly combined. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.

4. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on top of the cream cheese filling, top with an even layer of the crushed pineapple, and then an even layer of the sliced strawberries.

5. Cover with the COOL WHIP, smoothing the top. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts, then drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with maraschino cherries. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Grilled Salmon Recipe

Fire up the BBQ this weekend and throw on some salmon. It's one of the best foods to maintain healthy eyes because it's high in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce the risk of eye diseases later in life. Bonus: it is delicious!

Here is a great grilled salmon recipe from Chatelaine:

Ingredients

• 3-to-4-lb (1.5-to-2-kg) side of salmon
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
• 2 tsp (10 mL) each ground cumin and ground coriander (optional)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh thyme leaves or 1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cayenne (optional)
•  Generous pinches of salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Oil grill and heat barbecue to medium. Using a ruler, measure thickness of salmon to figure out how long to cook it. The general rule is 10 to 12 min for every 1 in. (2.5 cm) of thickness, so a fish that’s 11/2 in. (3.5 cm) thick will take 15 to 18 min, and one that’s 2 in. (5 cm) thick will take 20 to 24 min.
• Run your fingers along the middle portion of salmon to check for bones. If you find any, use tweezers to gently pluck them out and discard. In a small bowl, stir oil with seasonings. Rub or brush over fish until evenly coated.
• Place salmon, skin-side down, on grill. Barbecue, covered, until skin is lightly charred and a knife tip inserted into the thickest part of flesh and held for 10 seconds comes out warm, from 15 to 24 min. Don’t turn.
• Use 2 long, wide metal spatulas to remove fish. To serve without skin, slip spatulas between skin and flesh, then carefully lift salmon, leaving the skin on the grill. Slide onto a large platter or cutting board. Serve with sliced lemon.

Terrific toppers

• Make a citrus butter by mixing room-temperature butter with finely grated lemon or lime peel. Form into a log and wrap. Refrigerate until firm. Slice into rounds and serve on fish.
• Create a creamy dill sauce by stirring chopped fresh dill and grated lemon peel into plain yogourt or sour cream.

Nutrition (per Serving)

Protein

35 G

Fat

24 G

Iron

1 Mg

Calcium

25 Mg

Sodium

96 Mg

Calories

362

Outdoor Movies in New Westminster

Grab a blanket, your loved ones and get ready to snuggle up under the stars – New Westminster’s summer movie series is back.

Hosted by New Westminster Parks and Recreation, G&F Financial and Park Georgie Realty realtor Derrick Thornhill, the annual free outdoor movie series kicked off on July 11 with the super popular Frozen.

The series of outdoor films is a project brought to fruition by Sandon Fraser, youth services coordinator for the City of New Westminster, who felt the city needed to offer more free family-friendly events.

“A while ago there was discussion around more opportunities for families, more free opportunities for families in the city,” Fraser said.

This is the third year for the summer series and this year, as a way to get more people out to the screenings, Fraser and city staff sent out a questionnaire asking residents what movies they wanted to see on the big screen.

“It was good. We had close to 300 people respond and everyone got to vote on the movies they wanted to see and we used that list to guide what movies we would show,” he said.

Unlike past years, this year’s series is more balanced in terms of target audience. While all the movies are family-friendly, they aren’t simply the same old Disney flicks parents have seen over and over again (except maybe Frozen– but come on, it is a pretty entertaining flick).

This year’s lineup includes such classics as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Grease, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and Top Gun (“Take My Breath Away,” anyone?). There’s also a handful of kid favourites including Muppets Most Wanted, Up, and Despicable Me 2.

“We tried to balance it between the older fan-favourites and newer movies that families and children would love,” Fraser said. “When you have such a wide age range, trying to please everyone can be hard to do but we thought we picked a good variety of movies.”

Attendance for the screenings has been well received so far, especially for Frozen, which saw one of the largest crowds in three years, Fraser said.

Attendance really depends on several factors including what other events are going on that evening, the weather and what type of movie is playing, he added.

“Cartoons and the family-oriented cartoons tend to be the busiest because all ages love it but parents will also bring their families and their children to it, while they might not necessarily bring them to a movie that’s geared to an older crowd,” he said.

Fraser also noted that this year’s series has garnered attention from residents of neighbouring communities and a consistent group of people from outside New Westminster has been coming out to enjoy the free events. This doesn’t mean the series will be expanded, however; Fraser said he’s happy with where it’s at now and is pleased to see the community jumping on the bandwagon.

“We’re starting to see other organizations come in and find ways they can contribute and support the event as well,” he said.

This year, the Hyack football team is running the concession with all proceeds going directly to the association, and Stage New West is offering free face painting before the films.

Same as previous years, the stadium doors open at 7 p.m. and the movie gets started at about 8:30 p.m. depending on the sunset that evening. The film could be cancelled due to poor weather so on dreary days be sure to call 604-527-4634 to confirm the screening is still on.

For the full schedule of remaining movies visit tinyurl.com/MovieSeries or call 604-515-3775.

Cosmetic Contact Lenses

Variety is the spice of life, which is why Doctors of Optometry offer tinted cosmetic contact lenses to enhance your eye colour or change it altogether! They also have the training and qualifications to properly fit contact lenses specifically for your eyes, so make sure you schedule an appointment instead of ordering them online.

Your Doctor of Optometry has the training and qualifications to specify the proper contact lens material, fitting design, and care regime that works best for your eyes. Although contact lenses are mainly used for seeing better, tinted cosmetic lenses allow you to enhance your natural eye colour — making the blue bluer or the green greener — or change it altogether.

Three categories of cosmetic (or coloured) contact lenses are available:

• Cosmetic enhancement tints are translucent and are designed to enhance your natural eye colour. They are best for light-coloured eyes (blue, green, light hazel or gray). When wearing these tints, the colour of your eye becomes a blend of the lens tint and your natural eye colour and iris pattern.
• Opaque or “cosmetic” tints change the apparent colour of your eyes whether they are dark or light. The pattern on the lens, which is coloured, overlies the coloured part of your eye, the iris, resulting in an eye colour with a natural look.
• Visibility or handling tints are very pale, coloured just enough to make the contact lens visible while you are handling it. They usually have no effect on eye colour and are often a pale blue or green.

With tinted lenses you accomplish two goals at once: Seeing better and looking better.

For more information, please call us at 604.553.3900 or visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com!

Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Walnut Salad

Sure, salads are good for you, but it’s easy to get tired of having the same garden salad every day. Try this colorful recipe to mix things up; it showcases omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which support good eye health. 

The orange juice dressing lends sweetness to the salad, while the broccoli and sunflower seeds create texture for a recipe sure to please the whole family. 

Ingredients

Salad

1 cup broccoli florets
¼ cup chopped red onion
1 cup shredded carrot
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
3 Tbsp sunflower seeds (unsalted)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
½ cup mandarin oranges, canned in juice

Dressing

1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup orange juice
Black pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Combine carrot, broccoli, onion, bell pepper, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and oranges in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.
3. Pour dressing into salad. Mix well. Let chill for at least 1 hour to let flavors combine. Serve chilled.

Nutritional information

Makes 4 servings; Each serving is ¾ cup

Calories: 170
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrate: 13 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 6 g
Total Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 60 mg

Children’s eyes and sun damage

Make sure to sun screen your kids’ eyes this summer because children’s vision is at greater risk of damage from UV rays.

Just as the sun causes sunburn, UV light is also absorbed by the tissue of the eye and can cause serious eye damage. Children are more vulnerable to UV in the summer than adults, in fact the World Health Organization estimates 50% of lifetime exposure to UV happens before the age of 18.

Why are kids at a greater risk? The crystalline lens in children’s eyes is less capable of filtering UV than in adult eyes, resulting in greater risk for internal eye damage later in life. This is particularly concerning as children spend more time outdoors than the average adult. It’s estimated children receive approximately three times the annual adult dose of UV.

All kids should wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Teens already wearing corrective contact lenses can also consider adding an extra layer of protection with UV-blocking contact lenses.

Protecting your child now will decrease the potential for serious eye problems later in life. And remember, sun glasses aren’t just for summer months. Doctors of Optometry recommend wearing sun glasses to reduce the glare from snow and the winter sunshine.

To help you determine what is appropriate for your child, book an eye examination for them with a Doctor of Optometry. For more information or to book an appointment, please call us at 604.553.3900 or visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com.