It's the time of year to paint the town red

Lunar New Year sign at Pacific Centre, Vancouver, BC

Red lanterns at Pacific Centre, Vancouver, BC

River Rock Casino's Lunar New Year-themed promotion, Granville SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

Edgewater Casino's Lunar New Year-themed promotion, Granville SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

It's the time of year for Vancouver to go completely nuts for Lunar New Year. The Chinese population is large enough that it is worthwhile for lots of establishments to make a big deal out of the celebration.

Is this a respectful observance, or just a crass attempt to capitalize and make a buck. I suspect the latter. Well if it works for Black Friday, why not Lunar New Year?

What is Clara Hughes doing with that huge sandwich?

Pattison billboard, Main and Broadway, Vancouver BC

I'm not sure what the sandwich is advertising, but Clara Hughes is on the billboard to promote the Bell Let's Talk! mental health initiative.

A great initiative from Bell, but the broken billboard does take away from the message. (Well it pretty much eliminates it altogether)

A few firms should be getting a refund from Pattison.

Read the fine print? Most people can't even find it!

Advertisement for Royal Bank of Canada mutual funds

Fine print at the bottom of an advertisement for Royal Bank of Canada mutual funds

To keep the regulators happy advertisers need to add the fine print to their advertisements. But this "fine print" is so tiny that most people would not even notice it, let alone be able to read it.

From a consumer protection perspective either print the legal mumbo jumbo in a larger font, or change the law. I suggest the former.

A store to love

McLeod's Books, Pender Street, Vancouver, BC (Interior)

McLeod's Books, Pender Street, Vancouver, BC

McLeod's Books, Pender Street, Vancouver, BC (Interior)

McLeod's Books, Pender Street, Vancouver, BC (Interior)

McLeod's books on Pender Street is a wonderful place. It is filled with treasures and staffed by people who truly love books. Amazon will never be able to duplicate the sheer randomness of a place such as this.

Every time I go into this store I see a book that I just have to buy. (And generally do.)

I hope they are not talking about Christmas 2017

Posting on Canada ToysRUs website, January 14, 2017
Source: http://www.toysrus.ca

Hatchimals were the BIG toy for Christmas 2016. (My daughter wants one and is still waiting.)

Both online and brick and mortar retailers were surprised by the huge demand, and the manufacturer Spin Master was also caught flat footed.

But surely Toys R Us has updated its website over the past three weeks? And if not why not?

I wonder when the toys will be back in stock.