Button up your overcoat, and while you're at it, give visitors a nice, happy
Canadian hug.

Those are a couple of the messages flowing from the warm and fuzzy folks at VANOC, as the 2010 Winter Olympics hurtles around its final bend like an express train.

VANOC boss John Furlong is the hug guy, which certainly represents a softening in the former athlete's character from his warrior days in the trenches of Gaelic football back in Ireland.

But there he was at a boisterous pro-Olympic rally in the caverns of Robson Square, urging us all to bestow some comfort on strangers.

Gray skies are gonna clear up, so put on a happy face, smiling John enthused, breaking into song and dance. Okay, not really, but I think he did tell us to pack up our troubles in our old kit bag, and smile, smile, smile. Something like that, anyway, adding for good measure: "Smile at everybody, even when you're not having a good day." (Guess he never worked in customer service.)

And, when you meet strangers in the night or on the street asking for help, the slap-happy VANOC CEO instructed us to "[give] them more than they ask for." An explanation of the prorogation crisis, perhaps?

Then top it all of with a warm embrace.

"If all of us...give every person a warm, happy Canadian hug and show them some affection, this will be an enormously positive story for us and our country," Mr. Furlong said. Not to mention the potential of a population explosion, nine months hence.

As for that buttoning up referred to earlier, VANOC felt the need Sunday to remind Olympic ticket-holders that they reside in or are visiting an area of uncertain climate.

"It's unpredictable. It could be snow or rain," said VANOC venue manager Jan Damnavits, ignoring the possibility of sunshine.

So, rocket science being what it is, he reminded Vancouver spectators to wear waterproof, layered clothing that protects against wind and cold, as the city basks in the most prolonged spell of mild, winter weather in its history.

Ah, but the venues might be cold inside, rather than outside. These are the Winter Games, after all, There must be winter somewhere, besides Whistler.

"I was at the curling rink and it was very chilly inside," Mr. Damnavits warned.

And, just in case it rains (Mr. Damnavits, it is not going to snow in the city of Vancouver!), VANOC has regulations for umbrellas, along with everything else. Big, bulky golf umbrellas are right out. But small, collapsible umbrellas may be brought inside and stored under your seat, provided you don't shake the water all over the volunteer greeters. Or Mr. Damnavits.

Shoes? Waterproof and "appropriate", of course. VANOC thinks of everything. Still no word, however, on underwear. Other than, yes, please.