The seawall around False Creek is one if my favourite places to cycle.
MyVancouver4u focuses on Everything Vancouver and it's suburbs. I'll give my personal perspective on Vancouver including all the Good, the Bad and the In-between. Check back often for updates and current information. Enjoy!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Spyglass Dock in False Creek
Here is a beautiful evening photo of Spyglass dock in False Creek.
The seawall around False Creek is one if my favourite places to cycle.
The seawall around False Creek is one if my favourite places to cycle.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Vancouver Haze
Have you tried to look at our beautiful Vancouver mountains lately? If you have I'm sure you'd see something like smog blocking your view. Well, environment Canada said the haze is coming from forest fires burning in Siberia.
The concerns with this haze from Siberia is the increased ozone levels which are at record level high. The haze also carries with it pollutants from the smoke of the fires. People, especially those with existing respiratory illness are requested to stay indoors and out of heavy traffic.
Go figure, we finally have great warm, sunny days and now have to worry about the forest fire haze from Siberia. Oh well, just another day in paradise.
The concerns with this haze from Siberia is the increased ozone levels which are at record level high. The haze also carries with it pollutants from the smoke of the fires. People, especially those with existing respiratory illness are requested to stay indoors and out of heavy traffic.
Go figure, we finally have great warm, sunny days and now have to worry about the forest fire haze from Siberia. Oh well, just another day in paradise.
Vancouver Traffic Congestion
Vancouver has ranked in the top 10 of many studies done on large cities. Now Vancouver has reached the number one spot as the most traffic-congested city in Canada.
The manufacturer TomTom who makes navigation systems, ranks Vancouver as the most traffic-congested city in Canada and second only to Los Angeles in North America, according to the Vancouver Sun.
There are several factors which helps put Vancouver up in the number one spot as the most traffic-congested city in Canada.
I believe Vancouver city council needs to take a better approach with long term planning for the future of this city. By just introducing new fad ideas without thinking about the whole, the mayor may be leading Vancouver down a wrong path that may have irreversible effects.
The manufacturer TomTom who makes navigation systems, ranks Vancouver as the most traffic-congested city in Canada and second only to Los Angeles in North America, according to the Vancouver Sun.
There are several factors which helps put Vancouver up in the number one spot as the most traffic-congested city in Canada.
- Firstly, the fact that Vancouver is a coastal city brings added congestion. This brings a lot of people to our port and airport as a destination or departure point.
- Secondly, with our proximity to the ocean and mountains, people flock to our city for it's beauty and natural amenities.
- Thirdly, the number one trans-canada highway runs through our city streets. Vancouver has no overpasses so every car going north, south or east must travel city streets. Vancouver has opted not to have overpasses because they are intrusive to its natural beauty thus we have traffic-congestion.
- Fourthly, the population of Vancouver has grown astronomically from Asian countries. Many of these Asians are wealthy and thus like to drive their expensive cars. Transit is not something these wealthy people want to use. They bought a $100,000 BMW not just to sit in their driveway. In having worked for some of these wealthy Asians they have told me that in China or Japan sometimes there is no choice but to use transit. But here in Vancouver they can avoid transit and enjoy their cars no matter how stalled they become in downtown Vancouver.
- Fifthly, the current mayor Gregor Robertson has a push to turn more streets into bike lanes. Every time a bike lane is added the road surface for cars to drive on is reduced. Some Vancouverites refer to bike lanes as plaque that builds up in the arteries and reduces blood flow. Traffic becomes more congested with bike lanes. The mayor would like to see more Vancouverites use bikes and leave their cars home, but until that happens traffic-congestion will just get worse.
I believe Vancouver city council needs to take a better approach with long term planning for the future of this city. By just introducing new fad ideas without thinking about the whole, the mayor may be leading Vancouver down a wrong path that may have irreversible effects.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Strawberry Dilemma
Local strawberry farmers are dumping their fresh ripe crop to make a point. They can't sell them. The imported strawberries which the large supermarkets buy are cheaper and the local growers can't compete.
This is a big dilemma when you take a closer look. The local Metro Vancouver farmers are already using cheaper farm labourers but the fact is that the Mexican farmers are using even cheaper labour. On the outside someone looking in may say "who cares if strawberries come from Mexico". Well, when it comes to the carbon footprint local strawberries aren't shipped very far thus making a small carbon footprint impact.. Also consumers can know that their local strawberries are grown with appropriate and safe agricultural methods.
Our local farmers need our support otherwise they will not continue. Imagine the trucking industry shuts down and no produce is brought in from the US or Mexico, wouldn't it be nice to know you can still get your fruits and vegetables from local farmers. The more we are dependent on importing our basic food from other countries the more vulnerable we are.
I say it again, lets support our local strawberry farmers and help them out of this dilemma. We can wait for the government to do something or we can be proactive. Be a conscientious consumer.
This is a big dilemma when you take a closer look. The local Metro Vancouver farmers are already using cheaper farm labourers but the fact is that the Mexican farmers are using even cheaper labour. On the outside someone looking in may say "who cares if strawberries come from Mexico". Well, when it comes to the carbon footprint local strawberries aren't shipped very far thus making a small carbon footprint impact.. Also consumers can know that their local strawberries are grown with appropriate and safe agricultural methods.
Our local farmers need our support otherwise they will not continue. Imagine the trucking industry shuts down and no produce is brought in from the US or Mexico, wouldn't it be nice to know you can still get your fruits and vegetables from local farmers. The more we are dependent on importing our basic food from other countries the more vulnerable we are.
I say it again, lets support our local strawberry farmers and help them out of this dilemma. We can wait for the government to do something or we can be proactive. Be a conscientious consumer.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Vancouver Sunset
To have a beautiful Vancouver Sunset we need a beautiful Vancouver sunny day. This past June was the worst weather we've had in the last 31 years. Oh well, even paradise has a bad month. The good news is the weather man calls for 2 weeks of sunny weather. We sure deserve it!
The photo below is of a nice Vancouver Sunset. Hopefully we'll have many more of these this summer.
The photo below is of a nice Vancouver Sunset. Hopefully we'll have many more of these this summer.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Night Markets
Metro Vancouver is host to several Night Markets. These markets are great places to visit if you want to experience Chinese food and culture.
Vancouver Chinatown Night Market
Summer Night Market
May 11 – Sept. 16, 2012
Fri & Sat: 7:00PM-12:00AM
Sun & Holidays: 7:00PM-11:00PM
Richmond Night Market
Vancouver Chinatown Night Market
May 18, 2012 to September 9, 2012,
Friday to Sunday 6pm to 11pm.
Location is: Main street and Keefer in the heart of Chinatown.
This market is unique in that it is hosted in Chinatown giving you a truly unique Chinese experience.
There are two Night Markets in Richmond. The original and largest one is the Richmond Night Market located beside the River Rock Casino. The smaller Night Market is the Summer Night Market located by the Knight street bridge.
This summer why not take time and pay each market a visit. You'll have fun looking at the exhibits and sampling the Chinese food. Remember to come with an appetite!
Summer Night Market
May 11 – Sept. 16, 2012
Fri & Sat: 7:00PM-12:00AM
Sun & Holidays: 7:00PM-11:00PM
Richmond Night Market
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