Mana Mansour
Mana Mansour is a professional on-air reporter, host, and print and web journalist, having spent her whole life exercising her deep passion for storytelling. Coming from a performing background with a BA in Theatre from UBC, Mana’s desire to reach out to the world and share stories brought her to the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where she completed their prestigious Broadcast Journalism Program in the Spring of 2010. During her time at BCIT, Mana reported the latest in news and entertainment in print and on-air, working in the newsrooms of Evolution 107.9 FM and CTV News Vancouver. She also held coveted broadcasting positions during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and at Entertainment Tonight Canada during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, where she interviewed such stars as Chantal Kreviazuk, the cast of Degrassi, and K-OS. Mana is currently the host of Shaw Multicultural Channel, and a reporter for The Express on Shaw Television. The best part of her job is meeting the fascinating people that the Lower Mainland has to offer!
Get to know Mana’s favourite spots in Burnaby…
Where to go in Burnaby on a sunny day – Hands down would be Deer Lake Park….with it’s lovely trails and calm waters, a perfect sunny day would be renting a pedal boat and working on my tan while reading a great book!
Where to go in Burnaby on a rainy day – It would either be a nice day of indoor ice skating at 8 Rinks or traditional 10-pin disco bowling at Revs. I like to keep active while having fun even in dreary weather.
Favourite place to eat in Burnaby -Definitely Romano’s Pizza! I had the pleasure of writing about my first experience there in my A Stroll in the Heights, Part 2 post, and that restaurant has never failed to impress. I love the old rustic family feel of the restaurant and their food is splendid!
Favourite annual event in Burnaby: The Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival is definitely my favourite. It’s a great summer festival that reminds me of what Woodstock would have been like in the 1960’s- rocking tunes, lots of families picnicking on the grass, and hot sunny weather. To get a feel of what the festival is all about, check out my coverage from the 2010 festival in my Summer Blues Gets a Whole New Meaning post.
Best thing to do with the kids (if applicable):
Although there are so many kid-friendly fun activities to do in Burnaby, a day at the Burnaby Village Museum, and a ride on the famous carousel would be a top contender. The first time I visited the BVM was when I was 8 years old, and it’s still as fun today as it was back then. But I do miss pretending to be a student from the early 1900’s and using the fountain pens at the school house! Don’t miss out on the museum’s 40th anniversary celebrations going on this year.
Best Date spot in Burnaby:
The Grand Villa Casino and Delta Burnaby Hotel, along with a romantic dinner at Ebo Restaurant is the perfect place for a great evening with your honey. The menu at Ebo Restaurant is fantastic and the romantic décor in the hotel, along with their luxurious rooms makes for a fabulous stay-cation. Not to mention, listening to jazzy sounds from the live bands at the Scala Show Lounge while snuggling up to your date.
Burnaby’s best kept secret:
I would have to agree with my fellow blogger and dear friend Lima Al-Azzeh on this one in that Burnaby’s best kept secret is that there’s always something great to check out all year long. Burnaby really has something for everyone!
Top three favourite posts on 11Stations:
1. My favourite from my own work would be my two-part series about the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood, A Stroll in the Heights Part 1 and A Stroll in the Heights Part 2. It was so fun to discover and learn about one of Metro Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, while meeting the fascinating and unique people that make up the businesses there. It’s truly one the gem neighbourhoods in our backyard.
2. Chefs of the World three-part series from Lima Al-Azzeh. Lima really made my mouth water through these posts and gave me great insight on the restaurant scene in Burnaby.
3. Sheliza Mitha’s Dress Me Up in Your Love beautifully described the play of the same name that merged my two passions of theatre and fashion. She dissects the play in a way that brings it close to home.
How would you describe your writing style?
My writing style is very conversational. My day job is working in broadcasting as a host and reporter for Shaw TV, so I use the same approach I use in my broadcasting to my blogging- I write in a fun, and easily relatable way. Also, my favourite blogs to read also use the same type of style, which definitely has influenced my own style.
Where else can readers find you on the web:
I also write and manage a lifestyle blog about Vancouver at www.vansavvygirls.com, and you can follow me on twitter @ManaMansour.
