10 posts tagged “vancouver”
There's more than one way to cross the Fraser. Some of those bridges should be tolled, and we might as well start with this one.
New, tolled Pattullo Bridge gets green light
Last Updated: Thursday, July 31, 2008 | 9:00 PM ET
CBC NewsMore than 79,000 vehicles travel over the Pattullo Bridge, which spans the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, B.C., every day. (CBC)
TransLink has approved the construction of a new, tolled crossing to replace the 71-year-old Pattullo Bridge spanning the Fraser River between Surrey and New Westminster, B.C.
I've eaten at Moderne Burger three times since it reopened--my first opportunity was on July 2nd. Sometimes, it's just nice to feel at home again. The burger's haven't changed, and are still the best on the coast. The staff is friendly, and busy, and Peter and Kathy are still there. The old chef isn't, which is a shame.
On Friday's I cycle to work then swim at the outdoor Kitsilano Pool which, at 137 metres long, is the longest pool in North America. Moderne Burger is two blocks east on Broadway once I've climbed the hill after my swim, and last night I couldn't resist.
Sometimes, it's not hard to remember why living in Vancouver is so special.
Given the history of Vancouver politics, I'm completely unsurprised by yet another delay. Paul Martin could make a decision faster than our civic government.
I'm expecting a Royal Commission followed by a judicial inquiry into it's findings. After that, no doubt, the First Nations will launch a protest.
Stanley Park's hollow tree gets reprieve
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 | 1:35 AM ET CBC NewsThe Vancouver Park Board has decided to study options to keep Stanley Park's famous hollow tree instead of axing it this week as planned.
Board commissioners voted in a regular meeting Monday night to give a 150-day reprieve to one of Vancouver's oldest treasures. Park board engineers will study options to possibly keep the dead cedar.
I bet this doesn't last four months
TTC workers vote 99.2% to reject offer
AARON HARRIS/TORONTO STAR
Transit union chief had urged members to reject company's bid for concessions on benefits
Mar 13, 2008 04:30 AMToronto Transit Commission workers voted overwhelmingly yesterday to reject a contract offer, less than three weeks before reaching a legal strike position.
Galactica Season Four has just ended and it was far far better than Season Three which, in my opinion got wrapped up in its own sense of self-importance with an obvious Iraq war allegory.
The finale was excellent, although the second to last episode was better (and written by Jane Espenson.) By far, my favourite moment came towards the end when the crew lands on Earth, and Adama reaches down to pick up a handful of sand.
I have seen the future salvation of humanity, my friends, and it comes on a wet, foggy beach in Vancouver.
Season Five in 2009 seems to be promising, with ten episodes to come.
...or not, as the case may be.
Sam Sullivan is out as the NPA candidate for Mayor of Vancouver, leaving him in office as a lame duck until November. Effectively, Peter Ladner is the mayor starting today.
Don't believe me? Vancouver's electoral system is not like those of most Canadian cities. There are no wards: all councillors are elected on a city wide basis, as is the Mayor. This makes the Mayor's chair one of first among equals: every chair in that room has the same mandate.
I've never been a fan of Sam, but I'm not convinced that Ladner's going to be a huge improvement. He's been lackluster as a councillor, and I see no reason to think this will change.
This city needs leadership from it's Mayor, and that will only come with an overhaul of the structure of the city's government. The appetite for that, unfortunately, appears to be a long time coming.
Yes yes, according to my Swedish Rocket it was 37 degrees celsius today. I think it lacks credibility, but it was a fun number to see.
Trails were hiked, pedals were pushed and I sparked up the motorcycle and headed to Richmond for some fish and chips. It's officially summertime, at least in my life.
I pulled up to the corner of Oak and 37th, heading West...away from Toronto and towards home, in a manner of speaking. 37th is a major East/West bike route in Vancouver, although it's a weird one for me to take--I'm not sure why I chose that route home tonight, but I did.
I slid in behind someone and, as I so often do, started examining his bike. It was red...a Vitali frame. Probably a few years old, judging the its construction: there was no carbon fibre at all, and the paint had chipped a bit.
Mostly what I looked at was the components. There were Campagnolo Veloce parts. Campagnolo components are rarer than my Shimano and have the beauty inherent in their Italian pedigree. Say what you want, but the Italians know something about machines that move...they are things of beauty that come from the heart first, and machines of efficiency and reliability second.
They guy on the bike in front of me turned around. He was older than I thought, or expected...probably about 60 or so, although it's hard to judge. He smiled and said:
"You better go ahead. I'm recovering from chemotheraphy."
It was such a pure moment of open disclosure I didn't quite know what to say, but I told him I was admiring his bike and as I rode off I told him to have a nice ride.
It's moments like that that I love about commuting on my bike.
27.3 Kilometres is the length of a return trip on my new commute to work, largely along Vancouver's Midtown bike route out to Boundary Road, crossing every major street in the city. It's quite pleasant really, a bit hillier than I'd thought, but not too bad.
I pass a cemetery, several chinese restaurants, the Purdy's Chocolate factory, the biggest liquor store in the city and the headquarters of Burnaby's Electronic Arts Inc.
This is twice as long as my old commute, and it takes about twice as long to ride it (about an hour door to door, including time to get changed.) I'm not sure how it will feel when winter comes, with its relentless rain: new, more powerful, headlights might be a good idea but that's a decision that can wait for a few months. Spring (with its promise of summer looming just around the corner), is a great time to change jobs for a bicycle commuter. It's just nicer to ride with long days of sunshine (such as it is in Vancouver, of course.)
Tonight it rained on the way home, quite a bit as it turns out. I didn't mind too much: at least I was on two wheels.
