Kong hai fat choy and welcome to the Year of the Dragon.

The Winter 2011 issue of British Columbia Magazine marks the occasion with a rich, behind-the-scenes perspective on Chinese New Year celebrations in the Lower Mainland. See “Behind the lion’s mask” in your copy of the magazine to witness the preparations and determine how you, too, might please the gods and improve your fortune this year.

Are you a dragon person? According to Chinese mythology, those born during a dragon year (2012, 2000, 1988 and backwards in 12-year increments) are powerful, stubborn, intelligent, sexual, and have magical powers. To learn what other special attributes dragons possess, see our online article “The Year of the Dragon.” 

And for more on Chinese New Year, see Jane Nahirny’s “A wok through Chinatown” to read about her experience preparing a traditional dish for the festivities (complete with recipe).

Happy holidays from all of us at British Columbia Magazine. Thank you for your support in 2011 — we look forward to bringing you more great photography and articles about the best of B.C. in 2012.

Please note that our subscription department will be open December 28 and 29 (full days) and December 30 (morning only), but will otherwise be closed for the holidays until January 3, 2012. Contact: 800-663-7611, 604-713-0400; cs@bcmag.ca

Time is running out to have a treasured name live on in a lichen species. The contest to name two new species of lichen found in British Columbia’s rainforests closes December 15, so get brainstorming and start bidding.

The two species of lichens were discovered by researcher Trevor Goward who has donated his dibs on naming rights (which, under scientific protocol, usually go to the person who describes it). Instead, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the Ancient Forest Alliance are holding online auctions for the public to bid for the right to name the lichens. All proceeds will go to the two environmental groups. Goward refers to the auction of the naming rights as “taxonomic tithing,” and encourages other researchers to do the same.

Make a bid on the respective lichen species by visiting the websites of The Land Conservancy (1-877-485-2422) or the Ancient Forest Alliance (250-896-4007).

To contributing editor Larry Pynn, this grainy colour slide from 1986, taken in remote northwestern British Columbia’s Mount Edziza Provincial Park, is proof that outdoor equipment has come a long way, baby.

“I’m shown wearing a tasteless yellow-and-white baseball hat, bold-striped shirt, wool army-surplus pants and, gather ’round kids, an external-frame backpack.” With every step he took, that aluminum frame knocked against his head.

“I remember a lot about the first big hiking trip,” he adds. “My sleeping bag rolling down into a crater, a July snowstorm so thick we had to make camp where we stood, and wading through a chest-high swamp because we took the wrong valley coming down off the Mount Edziza plateau. But you know, I can’t remember a thing about that crappy little external frame backpack [aside from the head bumping]. Maybe gear isn’t the be-all and end-all of a great hiking trip, after all.”

Agreed. Though dare I suggest that our intrepid “Outdoor Advisor” might have looked just a bit happier in this photo had he been sporting a modern internal frame pack with cushy straps, ventilated panels, and weight-transfer technology?

Larry examines such modern features as applied to the day pack–which has evolved alongside multi-day packs–in the Fall 2011 issue. See “Day pack buying basics” for his tips on choosing size, panel configuration, hydration compatibility, material, and more.

The average person spends 90 percent (I repeat 90 percent!) of our time on Earth indoors. An extra five percent is eaten up sitting in our cars.If my math’s correct, that leaves us hiking, kayaking, skiing, swimming, strolling, diving, sand-castle building, wildlife watching, or doing any of the other great activities available beyond four walls only five percent of our time.

“Health futurist” Trevor Hancock of the University of Victoria (from which this surprising factoid comes) believes spending time in nature is critical to our health. “There is growing evidence of the physical, mental, social, and spiritual benefits of being in nature, and of nature’s ability to help healing,” he says.

Hancock will discuss nature’s significance to human health at a conference this weekend, September 20 to 23, at the Creekside Community Centre in Vancouver.In the meantime, let us all slowly back away from our computers and run for the door. Our well-being depends on it.

For inspiration on what to do out there, check our Stories section for articles about outdoor adventures, such as cycling on Haida Gwaii, hiking on Flores Island, visiting Skookumchuk Narrows, and more.

The 17th annual Word on the Street literary extravaganza takes place in downtown Vancouver this weekend, and the British Columbia Magazine team will be there to join in the fun. Visit our booth in the Magazine Tent on Sunday (September 25, 2011) for special offers, the chance to spin our prize wheel, or just to say hello.

The festival also offers author readings, exhibits, and performances. Visit www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/vancouver for more info.

Wildlife Wednesday is a popular day on our Facebook fan page. We ask our Fans to tell us what wildlife they’ve seen in the province–and the answers always astound me. This week’s winner, chosen randomly, was Keri Brewster, who shared:

“The other day, I saw a family of otters playing right beside the seawall. There was a mom and two young ones, and they were eating crabs and chasing each other and wrestling with each other and just having so much fun! It was the cutest, neatest thing I’ve seen in years!”

Keep those wildlife sighting stories coming–and stay connected with us via our Facebook page for more giveaways.

British Columbia Magazine was a big winner in Reno recently–but not at the slots.

The “Biggest Little City in the World” played host for this year’s International Regional Magazine Association’s annual conference and awards night. British Columbia Magazine was honoured in nine categories and brought home the following awards:

Gold, General Feature, “Island Survivor,” by J.B. MacKinnon
Silver,  Public Issues, “Orca Encounters,” by Isabelle Groc
Silver, Travel, “Desolation Sounds,” by Maria Coffey
Bronze, Food, “Fresh Trips,” by Jim Sutherland
Award of Merit, Culture, “Little Girl Gets her Name,” by David Leach
Award of Merit, Environment, “It’s not easy being green,” by Leslie Anthony
Award of Merit, Profile, “The Great Bateman,” by Bruce Obee
Award of Merit, Reader Service, “Kootenay: Four Treks, Four Seasons,” by Vivian Bowers
Award of Merit, Department, for text and design, “Kitsilano Love-in (writer: Daniel Wood, designer Ken Seabrook); “Sorrento” (writer: Frances Backhouse, designer Ken Seabrook), “Nelson” (writer: Jane Nahirny, designer Ken Seabrook).

Congratulations and thank you to our talented writers and staff!

Anyone who has grocery shopped while herding a three-year-old wearing a tutu or a unicorn costume knows that children love play-acting and pretending, anytime, anywhere. I figure that it is never too early to spark a love of theatre, so I’ll be bringing my kids to the Victoria Fringe Festival this weekend.

The special one-day FringeKids Fest takes place this Saturday  from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Victoria’s Market Square (560 Johnson). The free event promises puppet making, crafts, live performances and an inflatable bouncy bunny. Families are encouraged to bring new school supplies to donate to the Single Parent Resource Centre.

I’m also planning to buy some tickets for  Aladdin, The Secret Voyage, presented by Victoria’s own Story Theatre Company. And yes, I do hope to see some grown-up shows during the Fringe, which starts today and runs to September 4. Happy 25th anniversary to the Victoria Fringe, and thanks to all the staff and volunteers who make the magic happen.

Last week, I was invited for tea at the Point Ellice House & Gardens, a National Historic Site located in downtown Victoria.  The Victorian-era home, with its pretty, white-picket fence, seems like an anachronism in its now industrial neighbourhood along the Gorge Waterway. But when I stepped out of my car and into the heritage rose garden, I could understand why the O’Reilly family made their home here for several generations, even after others decamped from the neighbourhood. Birdsong filled the air as I walked through the garden towards the house. When I spotted the toy-like Victoria Harbour Ferry dropping visitors off at a dock below, I wished I’d thought to arrive here by water.

I was given a tour of the house by Heritage Branch Director Jennifer Iredale, who explained that when the family sold the house to the Province, they left behind all of its contents–room after room of original, Victorian furniture, china, portraits, music instruments, board games, kitchen utensils, and more. These family furnishings give the house such a sense of authenticity–and afford the visitor a glimpse into the life of Peter O’Reilly, who became one of B.C.’s first Gold Commissioners.  ”It’s a fascinating mixture of high English gentility and the objects from his life on the road in Gold Rush B.C.,” explains Jennifer.

As we peered into the diningroom where our first Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald, once dined, I could almost imagine the lively conversation. They say there are ghosts at Point Ellice House, and I did feel a tingle down my spine as I walked through the house. It was a fine summer’s day, so afterwards, we enjoyed afternoon tea in the gardens–a lovely spread of homemade goodies.

f you’re in Victoria this Sunday, visit Point Ellice House & Gardens as they celebrate their 150th anniversary. The traditional festivities begin at 11 a.m. and run until 4 p.m., and include light refreshments, music, dancing, croquet and children’s activities, and “Ask the Heritage Experts” (bring your questions about gardening, historical restoration, antiques, military history, and the O’Reilly family).  Admission is $12 for one adult; $20 for two adults; $6 for children; and $25 for a family (two adults, two children).

Photo of afternoon tea: Susan Rybar

Info: 250-380-6506 or ellicehouse@gmail.com