Conventions

Vancouver, BC is a world class city, tucked into the far West region of Canada. Long a gateway to the travelers going to Japan, Singapore & China, Vancouver sports a cosmopolitan lifestyle with old world influences. The variety of architecture ranges from totems by indigenous peoples who once thrived on what is now canyons of brick, steel & stone to Art Deco of the 1920′s to today current trend to build mix use buildings for an urban work, live, play lifestyle.

The Beach + Howe Building is just that. The triangular base is reset from the street and includes office & retail space. As the building rises, offsets are made to maximize both city views and limiting the amount of exhaust that travels upward from the Granville bridge. The Beach + Howe Building is designed by copenhagen-based studio BIG architects.

Once it opens, the Beach + Howe building will be Vanouver’s 4th tallest and largest residential complex. To read more about it, here is the Arch Daily, an online ezine for architects complete with specs and Design Boom with more renderings and perspective.

Nothing says “Brunch” like Bottomless Bloody Marys and that’s just what they are serving up in Mundo, a beautifully appointed restaurant which bills itself as Latin chic, tucked away in the World Market Center in Las Vegas.
We, here at B-t-B, are notorious at sniffing out where the bars are, *cue 1960′s beach party music* so the first time we went to Mundo was the day after Winter Market. The menu was limited but the wait staff, despite feeding 30,000 hungry designers & buyers, was fast and service was impeccable.
So what better place to take this mom for Mother’s Day: From the moment we sat down, my bottomless drink stayed filled as if it was some magical cup. I had the chicken satay, flavored Latin style and the Benedict Mexicano, a rich offering of jalepeno cornbread, poached egg slathered in pork carnitas simmered in a green chile hollandaise.
Of course no meal is complete without dessert with cafe con leche and a shot of tequila. We indulged in all. And just not to let down my family, I also raised a glass of Sangria to the matriarch of my son’s mestizo side of the family. Cheers to Chela.
Even if it isn’t market week and you are in town for a propane convention, it is well worth the 10$ cab ride from mid strip to the WMC just for Munco. However go to Open Table and make a reservation 1st as they are always busy even when it isn’t serving the HGTV crew.
If you have some time to spend, directly across from the WMC is the Smith Center for Performing Arts, the newest inclusion into revamping the downtown area of Las Vegas. On the corner is the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute which is housed in a Frank Gehry design building. It might be noted that it gives my brain a work out just looking at it. If you come during the day, you can browse the showrooms at WMC or if you are looking for shopping, it is right next to the North strip version of the Premium outlets. All within walking distance. Don’t forget your water.

Apr. 29 – May 2, 2012. AAAE is the American Association of Airport Executives.  The AAAE annual conference again attracted thousands of airport and aviation professionals, including airport executives, airport and aviation suppliers and vendors, airline personnel, and representatives from the FAA, TSA and DHS. Four days of discussions revolved around the current state of play in the airport industry, and was supplemented by an exhibit hall with over 200 vendors, there to assist the industry in meeting its “mile-high” challenges with their products and services.  Delegates heard from top government officials, industry and business leaders, and were able to interact with leading decision-makers from some 200 airports and hundreds of the industry’s leading companies, both airside and landside.  Hey, they just called my flight and my baggage cart has a wobbly wheel….

More than any other movie in recent history, Star Wars, changed the way makers of films produced their product. It would be the “Force” that would do away with back lots for movie and now television. No more elaborate sets but 1000′s of frames of computer generated art and actors in front of a green screen. According to Wikipedia:

“Before Star Wars, special effects in films had not appreciably advanced since the 1950s. Star Wars was also important in the movement towards the use of computer initiated imagery in films. The commercial success of Star Wars created a boom in state-of-the-art special effects in the late 1970s. There was increased investment in special effects. Companies like Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Productions were created to provide them.”

So while you are standing in line for the opening of the Avengers and are amazed by the special effects, raise that Big Gulp up in respect and May the 4th Be with You