The total energy savings recorded by the Venue Energy Tracker were 906 MWh. That’s enough energy for Canadian Olympic hockey team member and Gold medallist Katie Weatherston to play 1.7 million full games or Canadian Olympic Ski-cross team member Julia Murray to race down the ski-cross course 100 million times.

The venues and sites that participated in the live energy tracking project were the Richmond Olympic Oval, Canada Hockey Place, Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, South East False Creek Community Centre, Whistler Blackcomb Roundhouse Lodge and Snowmaking Facilities and the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, Vancouver and Whistler. Thanks to their participation in the Venue Energy Tracker program, these green facilities have set a new standard for energy efficiency in Olympic operations.

The Venue Energy Tracker is powered by Pulse Energy’s online energy management software. Real-time energy tracking enables facility managers to optimize their energy efficiency as energy anomalies or operational problems occur. It also enables the comparison of performance to other similar facilities.

The Venue Energy Tracker (www.VenueEnergyTracker.com) project was initiated by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), BC Hydro and Pulse Energy to measure energy consumption and quantify savings at nine key Olympic sites and venues. The project marked the first time in Olympic history that venues have monitored and publicly reported energy consumption during the Games. The Venue Energy Tracker provides unprecedented transparency while showcasing the many energy efficiency breakthroughs made at 2010 Olympic venues. It also improves operational efficiency and provides a strong legacy of ensuring these buildings will continue to operate efficiently for decades to come after the Games.

About Pulse Energy

Pulse Energy was founded in 2006 to make a rapid and significant impact on the energy efficiency of the world’s buildings. Its Energy Management Software technology, Pulse™, was developed in partnership with a number of leading organizations with advanced building automation and metering systems already in place. By designing the entire product around the needs of facility managers, energy managers, operations managers, and executives, Pulse has created an energy management solution of unrivalled accuracy, ease of use and relevance. In fact, Pulse™ has been recognized by the UC Berkeley Center for the Built Environment as one of the top three products in the energy visualisation market.

For more information, visit www.pulseenergy.com.

Our city has never looked so good! Welcome World to the 2010 Winter Olympics!

North & South Pender Island are one of the Southern Gulf Islands which lie in the calm and picturesque waters between Vancouver and Victoria British Columbia.

Pender Islands is approximately 36 km Sq. or 14 miles square and is actually two islands. North Pender and South Pender, they were once one Island. In 1903 a canal was created to assist marine traffic, thus severing the island connection, making what is know today as North Pender and South Pender Islands. In 1956 they were again connected by the development of a one-way bridge.

Pender Islands boasts the best year round climate in Canada! The sub-Mediterranean-type climate (781 mm) 30.7 inches of rain per year makes the Pender Islands perfect for family vacations, romantic retreats, small seminars, golfing, health and yoga retreats, hiking and nature watching. BC Ferries provides regular scheduled service between the Pender Islands and Swartz Bay (near Victoria), Tsawwassen (on the mainland), and several other Gulf Islands.

The Pender Islands are known as the “friendly Islands” and the “Islands of hidden coves and beaches”, boasting 20 public ocean accesses, Hamilton Beach on North Pender Island and Mortimer Spit just across the bridge on South Pender Island, offer swimming and picnic sites. The Pender Islands Parks and Recreation Commission has recently opened new beach accesses that are clearly marked and well maintained. Novice and experienced hikers can explore many easy trails or a more strenuous climb in Mount Norman Capital Regional District Park on South Pender.

Step back in time…with a quiet stroll down a country road, stop at a roadside stand and sample local grown vegetables or flowers. Enjoy the laid-back pace of the Pender Islands and meet the trusting and friendly Islanders. Share the unspoiled countryside with wild flowers and deer that browse peacefully by the roadsides. Shop for local arts and crafts at the many shops, studios, and galleries around the Islands.

Golfers play nine holes at the full facility course located on Otter Bay Road. Tennis courts are available at three locations while disc (Frisbee) golf, a game for the whole family, is played in the Magic Lake area.

Boaters find marinas at Port Browning, Otter Bay, and Bedwell Harbour, as well as government wharves at Hope Bay, Browning Harbour and Port Washington. The Canada Custom office for boaters is on the wharves at Bedwell Harbour. Scooters and bicycles are available for visitors who arrive on foot wishing to explore the Island.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water. Rent a small boat to fish or explore. Fish for salmon and cod, go ashore at Beaumont Marine Park, bring your kayak or diving gear. Ocean kayaking lessons and guides knowledgeable about wildlife and waterfowl are available throughout the year. Seventeen campsites are available at Prior Provincial Park. Eatenton House B&B has Island maps for your convenience and welcome the chance to help you make the most of your vacation!

About the Author

Kenneth R Hatton owns and operates http://www.pender-islands.ca

Of course, you will see labels and signs all over in Canada in both French and English. But, through my extensive travels I’ve learned that some Canadian words just don’t translate into American English, and vice versa.

So, here is a handy glossary of 12 Terms You Need To Know When You Visit Canada:

1. Loonies and Toonies - These cutesy words are far weightier than they sound. They mean money. Loonies are gold colored $1 coins. Where does this term come from? Well the Loon is the national bird appearing on the front of the $1 coin. The lonesome call of the Loon is a familiar sound in the Canadian wilderness.

2. Toonies -Yes, you guessed it. Toonies are the Loonies $2 cousin.

3. Tuque – The quintessential winter accessory in Canada. We hear that these winter hats are called “ski hats” or “beanies” elsewhere. But Canadians will keep their tuques, thank you very much.

4. Tim Hortons – Canada’s favorite coffee and donut shop. Located throughout the country and often referred to as “Timmies”, it’s a staple in the Canadian diet.

5. Double-double – Often heard at Tim Horton’s, this is the way the “pros” order a coffee with two creams and two sugars

6. Pop The common word for a soft drink, deriving from “soda pop”. Up here, soda is the fizzy water that’s good for getting pop stains out of clothes.

7. Washroom – A synonym for bathroom, restroom or toilet. Don’t waste precious time looking for the bathroom when all signs point to the washroom.

8. Poutine – With all the multi-cultural foods peppering Canada, be sure to try this homegrown favorite on your vacation. This dish of French fries, cheese curds and gravy originated in Quebec has won fans across the country. Trust me, it tastes better than it sounds!

9. Canuck -This is a term of endearment for “Canadian” as in the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, who can be seen on Hockey Night in Canada. Hockey Night in Canada is a must see TV event for hockey lovers…meaning most of Canada. Ask any Canadian on your vacation to hum the theme song – it’s a catchy one!

10. Runners – These are casual sports shoes, otherwise called sneakers or tennis shoes. “Runners” can join “sneakers” on my unofficial list of oddly named items.

11. Click/Kilometer – Kilometer is such a cumbersome word for measuring distance. The slang “click” is a much faster way to share how many kilometers you’ve traveled on your Canadian vacation.

12. Bill – Although you may run into a few friendly Canucks named Bill, chances are you’ll meet bill more often. In Canada, a bill is what you pay at a restaurant.

So, next time you’re in Canada, counting your loonies and toonies while enjoying your double-double after walking 10 clicks in runners and thinking about asking for the bill …you’ll feel right at home.

About the Author:
Canadian Travel Expert, Ashley Wilson takes the hassle out of searching all over the web trying to figure out where the best deals are and how to build a Canadian vacation that’s perfect for you and your family. To discover how Ashley can custom build your dream vacation using an exclusive combination of the latest technology and personalized human contact go to: http://www.freshtracks.ca