How:  1) Take a picture of yourself enjoying Pajo’s Fish and Chips  with either your smartphone or camera. 

    2) Post it on our Facebook Wall. (If you use a smartphone, you can scan our QR code at the poster to go to our Facebook Page right away.)

   3) Check back on our Facebook Page on the last day of each month as we will announce the winner from May to September 2012. 

The photo will be used as our Facebook Page’s cover photo for the next month and will be posted at all our locations. Our winner will also receive a $30 Pajo’s Gift Certificate and be included in our “Pajo’s Hall of Fame.” 

Can’t wait to see how you enjoy our fish and chips!

Have a look at the events below in case you’d like to swing by to enjoy what our neighbors have to offer this coming month.

Steveston – The Wharf and Garry Point Park

11^th Annual Steveston Seafood & Wine Festival (May 4th)

Photo Credit: stevestonrotary.org

This Annual Seafood & Wine festival at Gulf of Georgia Cannery will feature wines from more than 35 wineries and food from more than 15 local restaurants. Tickets $65 each, includes complimentary cheese plate and wine glass. Silent and live auctions. Click HERE to find out more.

Doors Open Richmond (May 5^th)

Photo Credit: richmond.ca/doorsopen

Doors Open Richmond will offer free access to over 40 sites, including heritage landmarks, modern structures, hidden gems, places of worship, artist’s studios, museums and national historic sites. Many participating partners will organize guided tours, displays and activities to enrich your experience. Explore Richmond’s arts, culture and heritage diversity during this two day city-wide free celebration. For more information vist www.richmond.ca/doorsopen.

Doors Open at London Heritage Farm (May 5^th & 6^th)

Photo Creidt: londonfarm.ca

London Heritage Farm is participating in Doors Open and offering free tours of the oldest standing home in Richmond as well as around our 4 acre property from 12-5pm. Don’t miss out on the heritage gardens! Then come in for tea! For more information, visit www.londonfarm.ca.

Walk Richmond-Britannia Shipyards to London Farm (May 5^th)

This free guided walk for people of all ages happens on the weekend of Doors Open 2012 (www.richmond.ca/doorsopen). Led by Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association volunteers, connect with other walkers in Richmond! Meet at Britannia’s gravel parking lot. Walk starts at 10 am.

London Heritage Farm’s Annual Plant Sale (May 12^th & 13^th)

London Heritage Farm is welcoming local growers to come visit the farm and pick their favorite plants for the summer. Whether it’s perennials, annuals or bedding plants, you are free to choose. Admission to the site is FREE. Plants are priced accordingly. All proceeds to back to the gardens at London Heritage Farm. For more information please visit www.londonfarm.ca.

Photo Credit: sfam.ca

Farmer’s Market (May 20^th)

Summer farmers market in Steveston continues at the corner of Third Avenue and Moncton St. Come and experience the fun and discover your favorite piece of craft as well as local produce. Market opens from 10am to 3pm. Check www.sfam.ca for more information.

Port Moody – Rocky Point Park

Festival of Masks (May 3^rd – 6^th)

Come see the shows at the Festival of Masks, presented by Goliath Performing Arts! Watch some of the most talented youth artists in the Tri-Cities perform this spring, 6.45-8.45pm at Inlet Theater. Want to learn more? Call 778-709-2154.

Noon Creak Fingerling Festival (May 5^th)

Help us to release 40,000 young chum salmon from the hatchery into Noons Creek for their four year journey in the Pacific Ocean.  Buckets provided free of charge.  Donations gratefully accepted. For more information, please call 604-469-9106.

Photo Credit: makebakegrow.com

Farmer’s Market (May 13^th)

If you are around the area, come visit the market and support local farmers and crafters. This Port Moody farmer’s market will not disappoint you for sure. 10am to 2pm at Port Moody Recreation Complex. Want to learn more? Visit makebakegrow.com.

Evergreen Family Series: Hansel & Gretel (May4^th)

Through juggling, clowning, unicycling, acrobatics, wire walking, audience participation and comedy, Be the Circus stresses the importance of community and the value of failure as well as success. Come and join this Evergreen Family Series at Evergrren Cultural Center 205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam from 2-4pm. For more information, check this out.

That’s it for this month folks. Hopefully the sun will be out soon and there will be many more events to attend in the next few months. Anyways, we’ll hear back from you again next month alright?

All the Best,

Now that we are officially open, it’s time to spread the word about our 2012 season opening around town.

And nothing else is better than asking you to help us pass the word around, right?

So here’s your chance to win $30 valued Pajo’s Fish and Chips. How? Click here to go to our Facebook photo. There you can share the post on your Facebook profile! We will draw the winner from all the shares on April 30th.  So make sure you join the contest before then!

Who knows, the winner might be YOU!

Good luck everyone!

Steveston – Wharf & Garry Point

Credit: www.sfam.ca

Farmers & Artisans Winter Market (April 1^st & 15^th)

Winter farmers market in Steveston continues in Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Come an experience the fun and discover your favorite piece of craft and local produce. Market starts from 10am to 3pm. Check out www.sfam.ca for more information.

Easter Party at Steveston Community Centre (April 7^th)

Easter Egg credit: steveston.bc.ca

Celebrate Easter with the Easter bunny and be part of the festivities. Lots of games, crafts, balloon art, face painting, Easter Egg hunt, complimentary coffee, tea, juice and cookies and some surprises too! Saturday April 7^th from 10-11.30am OR 12.30 – 2pm at Steveston Community Centre gym. Cost: $9 per child. Want to learn more? Visit http://www.stevestoncommunitysociety.com/.

Steveston Village Easter Egghunt (April 7^th)

It’s time for kids to bring a basket and collect a small treat from participating businesses. Meet the Easter bunny and enjoy the treats. Event runs from 1-3pm. Hosted by the Steveston Merchants Association. Visit http://www.stevestoninsider.com/event/easter for more information.

Easter Tea at London Herritage House (April 7^th)

Enjoy a full tea with tea or hot chocolate, a scone and other homemade goodies for $8.50 per person in a quaint tea room in the London Heritage Farm House from 12pm to 5pm. Click here for more information.

Easter Egg and Scavenger Hunt (April 8^th)

Easter will not be perfect without Easter Egg Hunt! Meet at the Sharing Farm Orchard at the bottom of Gilbert Road for 11am. The kids will look for clues and collect prizes that direct them to London Farm’s hunt for the grand prize. For more information, visit http://londonfarm.ca/events.html.

Scotiabank MS Walk

Scotiabank MS Walk (April 9^th)

On Sunday April 9^th at 10am, Garry Point Park is the start/finish location for the Scotiabank MS Walk.  Both the short route (2 km) and the long route (4 km) lead walkers on a beautiful tour around the kite field with views of the Strait of Georgia.  Want to register and learn more about the event, click HERE.

Port Moody –Rocky Point Park

Port Moody Winter Farmers Market (April 1^st & 29^th)

If you are running out of fresh organic good food, maybe it’s time to do some grocery shopping from local farmers. Come join the crowd at Port Moody Recreation Complex 10am to 2pm. For more information, please visit http://makebakegrow.com/.

Easter Egg Hunt at Place Maillardville (April 7th)

Credit: www.plantcity.gov

Join the crowd hunting for Easter eggs at Place Maillardville from 12pm to 3pm. Register early as the space is limited. $6 per child. Call 604-933-6146 for more details.

Annual Art Walk (April 21^st and 22^nd)

ArtsConnect is pleased to host the 13th Annual ArtWalk . This self-guided tour runs Saturday, April 21st and Sunday, April 22nd from noon to 5pm both days and is open to everyone. Oh and it’s FREE! For more information, please visit www.artsconnect.ca.

Port Coquitlam –Gates Park

Easter Arts Celebration

Hop on back to Leigh Square for the second annual Easter Arts Celebration for families! Featuring Easter egg decorating, egg hunt, arts and crafts, storytelling, entertainment and much more!  Pre-register online at www.experienceit.caor by calling 604.927.7529. Cost is $10/child.

That’s about it for this month guys. Hope you all enjoy the sun the wind. See you again next month’s Weekend Highlights.

Sorry folks, we know we told you earlier that we guarantee to open on weekends. But for today ONLY (Saturday 25th, Feb.) , we really can not make it due to Environmental Canada wind warning at all our locations. Yep, the unpredictable weather seems to be on our way.

So all our locations will be closed for one day, and hopefully things get better tomorrow. (Fingers crossed!)

If you have a fish and chips craving today, save it for tomorrow. Who knows, a bright sunny windless day might be around the corner. 

We’ll keep you in the loop and let you know what’s happening around our hood, alright?

For now, you can check out our photo gallery to bring you some drools to start off with.

And don’t forget, this weekend is the last week for our Pajo’s crave contest. If you haven’t check it up yet, have a look. Who knows you might win $100 Pajo’s Gift Certificate too!

Until next time folks.

Steveston- The Wharf and Garry Point Park

Credit: www.sfam.com

Farmer’s Market (March, 4^th & 18^th)

Winter farmers market in Steveston continues in Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Come an experience the fun and discover your favorite piece of craft as well as local produce. Market opens from 10am to 3pm. Check www.sfam.ca for more information.

Port Moody – Rocky Point Park

Evergreen Family Series: Hansel & Gretel (March 4^th)

credit: http://www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca

VOIS breathes new life into this classic fairy tale in a darkly fantastical, fast-paced and enchanting production aimed especially at young people. Based on Engelbert Humperdinck’s classic opera version of the Grimm Brothers’ fable, Hansel & Gretel features four energetic young opera singers, one nimble-fingered pianist, a Gothically gorgeous set and dramatic costumes. Come and join this Evergreen Family Series at  Evergreen Cultural Center 205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam from 2-4pm. For more information, check this out.

Farmer’s Market (March 11^th& 25th)

Credit: www.makebakegrow.com

If you live around the area, come visit the market and support local farmers and crafters. This Port Moody farmer’s market will not disappoint you for sure. Come visit the market from 10am to 2pm at Port Moody Recreation Complex. Want to learn more? Visit makebakegrow.com.

Evergreen Family Series: Flying Blob; Be the Circus (March, 26th)

credit: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca

On Sunday at 2-4pm, Bremen Town Musicians by the Maritime Marionettes features masterful puppetry and the engaging storytelling of this famed folktale about an aging donkey who follows his dream to become a musician. Come join the event at Evergreen Cultural Center and visit their website here.

That’s it for this week guys. And stay tuned on our blog, alright? (Hint:Some promotions might be coming up!)

Take care! ^^

As the weather is shifting gears between the rain, the sun, the cloud and the wind, our store hours are also deemed to change. BUT please rest assured, we guarantee that we’ll be open on  weekends at three of our locations; the Wharf, Garry Point Park and Rocky Point Park.

For weekdays, however, we’ll have to see what the weather is  looking like the next day to decide  whether to open or not.

So stay TUNED you guys, we’ll definitely keep you in the loop if anything comes up. Or else, you could call our locations to check it out before you head down there too!

Please see our store locations and phone number here.

Oh and don’t forget, our Pajo’s Craving contest is on until the end of this month. Check it out to win a $100 Pajo’s Gift Certificate.

Bye for now and hope to see you around soon!

This post will then be dedicated to our much loved city of Port Moody. Let’s see if its history is as moody as it sounds. 

The early history of the Port Moody area was dominated by two events: the 1858 gold rush on the Fraser and the 1886 arrival of the first transcontinental train. With the sudden appearance of thousands of gold prospectors in the Fraser Valley and the need to develop a back-door defense for the burgeoning town of New Westminster, the Royal Engineers (commanded by Col. Richard Moody, after whom Port Moody was named in 1859) were directed to clear a trail from the new capital of British Columbia to Burrard Inlet.

The little town received little attention until it was declared the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1879 which was the condition that prompted British Columbia to enter into confederation in 1871.

The railway was completed with the last spike driven at Craigellachie on November 7, 1885 and a train arriving at Port Moody the next day. The first scheduled passenger transcontinental train arrived on July 4, 1886, a date which is still celebrated during Golden Spike Days. Real estate prices soared, but soon fell flat when a branch line was built to Vancouver in 1887.

Though many people moved and the town remains small, Port Moody still maintain a sense of community and on June 16, 2004, Port Moody was officially trademarked as the “City of the Arts.” Historically, Port Moody was a destination for artists because of its low rent, beautiful scenery and ambient lighting. Today, it is home to annual festivals, arts groups and diverse facilities that help foster a creative community.

Well, that is the story behind our community in Port Moody, where small is still beautiful. If you want to drop by and get a feeling of arts around Vancouver, you can drop by at Port Moody Art Center and maybe come and say HI at our location in Rocky Point Park too.

Stevston- The Wharf and Garry Point Park 

Chinese New Year Tea (Feb., 4^th- 5^th)

London Heritage Farm opens for 2012 with Chinese New Year Tea on February 4^th and 5^th, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Celebrate heritage and culture while bringing in the New Year of the Dragon, tasting home-baked goods and tea, browsing gift shop and finding out about the oldest standing residence in Richmond. Visit www.londonfarm.ca.  

Farmer’s Market (Feb., 5^th& 19th)

Winter farmers market in Steveston continues in Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Come an experience the fun and discover your favorite piece of craft as well as local produce. Market opens from 10am to 3pm. Check www.sfam.ca for more information.

Valentine’s Day Tea (Feb., 12^th)

Treat a guest to London Lady Tea, a scone and three other homemade goodies inside the lovely heritage tea room at the restored and furnished 1890′s London Heritage Farmhouse. For more information visit www.londonfarm.ca.

Port Moody – Rocky Point Park

Farmer’s Market (Feb. 12^th & 26^th)

If you live around the area, come visit the market and support local farmers and crafters. This Port Moody farmer’s market will not disappoint you for sure. Market starts from 10am to 2pm at Port Moody Recreation Complex. Want to learn more? Visit http://makebakegrow.com/our-markets/

That’s it for this month, and don’t forget all four Pajo’s locations will be open on the last two weekends of February. YES! Please mark your calendar to come down and visit us on February 18th-19th and  25th – 26th.  

Have a happy Valentine’s Day and we’ll hear back from you at our March All and Around again alright?

All the Best,

Photo Credit: www.londonfarm.ca, www.sfam.ca, www.makebakegrow.com

Photo Credit: www.knowbc.com

This post will be dedicated to our beloved village and its history. Let’s travel back in time and learn the story behind this enchanting fishing village.

Though Steveston is famous for its salmon fishery and cannery in the past, the beginning of the village stemmed from a small farming community in 1878 when Manoah and Martha Steves and their six children permanently settle the southwest corner of Lulu Island, in what is now known as Steveston. After much planning and expansion of the family estate, Steves’ son William Herbert, developed the town site with help from the British Army Engineers. In 1890, the town had its own opera house, church, hotels, retail stores, and a wharf.

The fish cannery industry did not flourish until 1882 when that the commercial fishery was firmly established as the economic engine

Photo Credit: www.vancouver-historical-society.ca

that would power Steveston for the next century. By 1890, Steveston was a full-blown boom town, with 15 canneries along its waterfront and record catches of salmon, herring and other species. Steveston canneries were shipping salmon overseas, setting a record of 16-million pounds in 1901.However, by 1912, the fish processing lines had become automated and the town’s population was reduced by nearly half and the canning activity slowly declined and finally ceased in the 1990s.

Today, Steveston still maintains the character of a quaint, historic fishing village, with over 600 fishing boats––Canada’s largest fleet, calling Steveston Harbor home. Over the years, due to its still active fishing fleet, historic buildings, and National Historic Site, The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Steveston is still very much a small fishing village, though changing quickly. It boasts over 350 businesses and services to accommodate its growing population. Steveston has become a popular place to visit and live. On sunny days, visitors flock to Steveston’s waterfront boardwalks to enjoy the scenery, people and food.

Photo Credit: www.virtualtourist.com

Now that you know the story behind this fisherman village, it’s time to come down and visit this wonderful place. And if you are lucky and the weather is nice, don’t forget to drop by and say hi at our Steveston locations close to the Fisherman’s wharf and Garry Point Park too.

Bye for now, and stay tuned for “Our Hood’s Story” series about Garry Point Park next time.