Join us for our annual trip to Whistler from 24-26 February 2017 (please note date change)! Network with your fellow postdocs, discuss your research, and whether you’d like to ski/snowboard/cross country, there will be something for everyone!

Cost for Friday & Saturday night’s accommodation: $115.00 per person (including light breakfast and tax)

Accommodation Details: The Alpine Lodge Hostel is located 4 km north of Whistler Village. The bus stop is just steps away and goes directly to Whistler Village. All rooms have mountain views and a balcony access. We have booked 2 rooms on the third floor, each furnished with a private bathroom.

RSVP now – deadline is Monday, 16 January. We have booked 8 beds (2 rooms, 4 beds per room). Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Please note that payment is required to secure your place. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, refunds will not be possible. You can also organize your own accommodation, and we’ll meet you for the activities.

Transportation: Car pools are the cheapest option, so if you have a car and can fit a couple of people, please let us know. If we don’t have enough cars, we could rent cars or take public transportation – Greyhound or the Whistler Shuttle can be reasonably cheap when booked in advance.

Pass and equipment info: You are responsible for purchasing your ski pass and/or equipment rentals. If you purchase an Edge Card online 48 hours in advance, you can save some money. For more info see http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/. Discounted ski/snow board rentals are available at the Alpine Lodge. Check out the Whistler Blackcomb site for more information relating to passes, rentals, and lessons.

Please contact Jessica, if you have any questions.

Join us for our annual PDA Christmas Party on Monday, 12 December at 7:00 pm at Nuba in Kitsilano! Let’s celebrate the festive season together while enjoying a delicious Lebanese buffet. Nuba offers fresh, organic food, and has many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Cost: $28.13 per person (including 5% tax and 18% gratuity) for the Sharing Menu

Bring: If you would like to take part in a game of Thieving Secret Santa, please bring one wrapped gender-neutral gift (Value – $10-15).

RSVP by Monday, Dec 5. We have booked a private room (The Taverna) with a limited number of seats. Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Jessica, if you have any questions.

Join us for a visit to the Grand Opening of Vancouver’s Christmas Market on Saturday, 26 November at 11:00 am at Jack Poole Plaza (1055 Canada Place)! Experience an authentic German-inspired Christmas Market – A mix of traditional food and beverage, a selection of unique gifts, and a wide variety of cultural activities and entertainment.

Cost: If at least 15 people register, tickets cost $6 (including taxes) per person (group discount). If we have less than 15 people, tickets cost $8 (including taxes) per person.

Advantages: Each ticket (together with your ID) will serve as a Free Season Pass: You can return to the market as many times as you like all season long! Moreover, you’ll have access to the exclusive Express Lane so you can skip the queue!

So, don’t wait and RSVP by Monday, 21 November. Please sign up with your full name(s). We will order the tickets directly after the deadline. Refunds will not be possible – If you signed up but cannot attend anymore, you have to reimburse us for the cost of your ticket(s). Moreover, note that with your sign-up, you agree with paying $8 per ticket in case we don’t get enough attendees. Please bring the money in cash (the exact amount if possible) to the event date. Please contact Jessica, if you have any questions.

When: Friday, September 23, @ 7:00pm

Where: The Eatery – 3431 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6R 2B4 (map)

Details: The Eatery is probably the coolest sushi place in Kitsilano. It’s known for its creative sushi rolls and its artsy atmosphere. Appetizers will be covered by the PDA, then we’ll walk down the street for a beer. RSVP to Justin Hart.

It’s summer! The UBC PDA has a variety of socials coming up – from lunch meet up on campus to public swim at Kits beach – join one today!

If you’re nervous about finding us, or have any other questions about our socials, please e-mail Justin Hart, at justin.hart@mech.ubc.ca.

Canada Day Fireworks social
When: July 1 at 7.30 pm
Where: 9 O’clock Gun at Stanley Park (map). Note: Location changed!
Details: Join your fellow postdocs to see the Canada Day fireworks from Stanley Park! Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and a covered dish dessert or snack to share. Stanley Park is very busy during fireworks displays, so please RSVP in advance so we know to expect you. Come early and help us stake out a spot or meet Justin at 7:30pm sharp at the 9 O’Clock Gun. RSVP to justin.hart@mech.ubc.ca.

Lunch Meetup at AMS Student Nest
When: The first Thursday of every month at noon
Next date: July 7, 2016
Where: AMS Student Nest (map) – Meet in first floor near the entryway
Details: Join your fellow postdocs for a casual lunch in the AMS Student Nest food court. Reconnect with your colleagues across campus or make a new friend! If you’re nervous about finding us, drop the VP Social an email at justin.hart@mech.ubc.ca. No RSVP required.

Poutine & Bar Hopping on Granville St
When: July 8, 2016 at 6:30 pm, poutine at 7:15 pm, followed by bar hopping
Where: Start from Smoke’s Poutinerie – 942 Granville St, Vancouver, BC (map).
Details: It’s summer, so the bars on Granville St are a popular spot in Vancouver. We’ll start by grabbing some classic Canadian fare at Smoke’s Poutinerie, then do drinks at the bars on Granville St. If you’d like to do only drinks, meet us at Smoke’s at 7:15 pm. We’ll go to The Speakeasy, then see where our interests take us. Granville St is busy during the Summer, so you won’t find us unless you RSVP. RSVP to justin.hart@mech.ubc.ca.

Public Swim at Kits Pool
When: July 23, 2016 at 2:00 pm, drinks at 6:30 pm
Where: Kits Pool, 2305 Cornwall Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1B6 (map)
Details: Join us for a day at Kits Pool. Sit in the sun or swim to your heart’s content. Cost of admission is $5.86 per person. At 6:00 pm we’ll change out of our swim trunks and have dinner and a beer at Local on Cornwall. RSVP to justin.hart@mech.ubc.ca.

See you there!