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.

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.

• 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.

It is true Vancouver has become a very busy and congested city. The tremendous population growth has put a lot of stress on its infrastructure. Water supply, sewers, electrical power, streets, new construction  and health care are just a sampling of  areas which are struggling to keep up with the growth of Vancouver.

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.

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 STANLEY PARK TENNIS OPEN

You've heard of the famous Wimbledon Tennis Open, well Vancouver is host to another well-known tennis open. The Stanley Park Open, is one of the biggest amateur tennis tournaments in North America. You won't see the famous world known pros playing here, but you'll see some of the best tennis anywhere. These players are "hungry" for the coveted prize.

Come and enjoy the 81st Stanley Park Open.

Schedules are:
Seniors: July 7-15
Open: July 7-22
Juniors: July 7-14

Vancouver's Hot Summer Stuff

Well, summer has finally arrived, at least on the calendar. Our Vancouver spring was very cool and wet one. Vancouverites who are ever hopeful are looking towards sunny and warm days. Vancouver is not only a beautiful city it is also a city with Hot Summer Stuff for everyone to do.

Every summer there are good old standby events: the annual Fireworks in English Bay; Playland Amusement Park is open to all who seek thrilling rides; the annual Pacific National Exhibition is an exciting two weeks of carnival events with concerts featuring famous artists and singers.

Metro Vancouver is host to three Night Markets. Take time to walk through these exciting and culturally unique markets, each one has it's own flair. Night Markets.

Canada Day celebrations on July 1st are not to be missed. Canada Place hosts downtown Vancouver's biggest Canada Day celebration. There will be a parade, concerts and fireworks that night as well. For a cozy atmosphere Granville Island will also have Canada Day celebrations.

The Vancouver International Jazz Festival happens every year in late-June through early-July. This festival was named the “best jazz festival in the world” by The Seattle Times. The festival attracts over 400,000 visitors annually.

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival was named as one of the top ten outdoor music festivals in North America by USA Today. It runs from July 13 - 15 at Jericho Park.

These are just a sampling of the Hot Summer events happening in Vancouver. Check back often as Vancouver's Hot Summer Stuff is updated with things that will appeal to your sense of fun.

Vancouver Farmers Markets

Farmer's Markets are a great way to get fresh locally grown food into the consumers hands. Large cities like Vancouver benefit because Farmer's Markets connect growers and consumers first hand.

So often when consumers buy food from a supermarket little thought is given to where the food was grown or how it was grown. At a Farmer's Market people can talk with the grower and  feel confident that the product they are buying is healthy.  Shopping at a Farmer's Market totally endorses the concept of Eat Fresh and Eat Local. You reduce green house gases by reduced shipping of the product and you encourage the local economy. A win win situation.

Local Farmer's Markets include Trout Lake, Steveston, Kitsilano, West End, Main Street Station and Granville Island.
Check out the BC Farmer's Market Association for a listing of local and province wide Farmer's Markets.

Vancouver Community Gardens Flourish

With the high population density that Vancouver is facing, people are living in homes with no yards or no garden space. Condo living with its limitations is now the "in thing".

To meet the need for people to get back to nature and grow their own food, community gardens play an important role.

Vancouver has 74 community gardens. When you go to the City of Vancouver community gardens website, you'll find the locations and contact information to join.

It's amazing how much food can be grown in a community garden plot. Many gardeners don't just grow food for themselves, they share freely with others. Participants in these gardens are helpful and share green thumb information, seedlings and crops with one another.

Some Vancouver residents also open their yards to interested gardener's to grow food. It seems that if someone is looking for a small plot to grow some food, a space comes available.

Community gardens help city people to Eat Fresh and Eat Local by growing their own food.

Eat Fresh and Eat Local

Eat fresh and eat local is on the minds of Vancouverites. Local farmlands are being threatened when cities expand. Vancouver is no exception. Farmlands surrounding Vancouver are being turned into housing communities to meet the population growth of Metro Vancouver.

Much of the food Vancouverites buy comes from outside the local farmlands. Go to a local supermarket and you'll see tomatoes from Mexico and snap peas from China. There may be some locally grown options but much comes from elsewhere.

Obviously more exotic produce might not be grown here and needs to be imported. But so much that is grown here is also imported.

Can you imagine the carbon footprint of snap peas being shipped from China? More and more citizens are concerned with where our food is sourced from and what environmental impact that brings.

Vancouver shoppers are quite savvy when it comes to eating fresh and eating locally produced food. My next few blogs will cover the growing trend of community gardens, farmer's markets, buying seafood right off the boat and visiting local farms for fresh meat and produce.

Stay tuned

Point Grey Fiesta

At myVancouver4u I like to hi-light community events and festivals.  These events showcase the diverse character of the individual neighbourhoods of the city of Vancouver.   Point Grey Fiesta has its roots back to 1986 when Vancouver hosted EXPO 86.

"The Point Grey Fiesta is the community’s annual start-of-summer event for families and friends. Starting with a Saturday parade on West 10th avenue, the Saturday celebration continues in Trimble Park with stage performances, activities and exhibitors. Carnival rides in Trimble Park operate from Friday to Sunday. With the exception of the carnival rides and midway games, Fiesta entertainment and children’s activities are free of charge."  Quoted from website.

Check out this family friendly event.
June 22-24, 2012
Point Grey Fiesta Website

Colourful Vancouver

Vancouver in the springtime shows blooms of vibrant colours. This is just a sample of beautiful, colourful Vancouver.

Top Five Vancouver Beaches Revealed

Just imagine standing on silky warm sand, the ocean waves lapping at your feet. You look around and see tall, majestic snow-capped mountains cradling the city.

This is Vancouver in June.

SUNSET BEACH
Sunset Beach is very protected as it lies at the entrance to False Creek. As you lie back and enjoy the warmth of the sun you watch yachts and sailboats pass you by.

KITSILANO BEACH
Kit's Beach as the locals call it is nestled close to beautiful scenic Cornwall Street. Bring a picnic lunch or visit restaurants like the Local Public Eatery or The Boathouse.

Enjoy the ocean breeze from the beach or from Kit's Pool.

ENGLISH BAY BEACH
English Bay is one of the most picturesque places in the city of Vancouver. English Bay Beach is the most popular beach in the summer for sunbathing, swimming or people watching.

In the summer you'll find the downtown "condo-crowd" catching some rays or just reading a good book on the beach.

SPANISH BANKS BEACH
Spanish Banks is located further west from Vancouver's downtown core. This long beach has room for volleyball, sunbathers and boaters alike. The views of the mountains and the city are awesome from here.

Although Spanish Banks neighbours Wreck Beach you'll have to wear a bathing suit no matter how skimpy it is.

WRECK BEACH
Wreck beach is a clothing optional beach, located on the outskirts of the University of British Columbia.

Seems as though all that education makes people want to run around in their birthday suits. Just a word to the wise, all the pretty people don't always sunbathe at this beach.

No matter which beach you choose you'll enjoy the beauty of Vancouver.